For nearly a century, a funicular system offered passage around the hills of Innsbruck. In 2007 the system was retired, and replaced with something so architecturally stunning that it became a tourist destination in its own right. The journey is what matters on the Hungerburgbahn, and it happens in futuristic style.
To call the Hungerburgbahn in Innsbruck a hybrid funicular railway is both accurate and misleading, for this is much more than a railway. Travelers from around the world come not just to travel between four stations -- Congress, Löwenhaus, Alpenzoo and Hungerburg -- but to marvel at the sheer wildness of the design. Built in 2007, the system replaced the previous funicular service in operation between 1906 and 2005.
In a country renown for its architectural daring, this new collection of structures seemingly hails from another galaxy. With biomorphic undulations and futuristic curves, they celebrate the gorgeous landscape -- while ferrying you over it. Each train carries just 130 people, and the ride lasts less than ten minutes; the physical scale is small, but the artistic vision connects with a great tradition of architectural innovation throughout Austria.
Take a virtual tour through Innsbruck with Kelley:
The best way to climb Innsbruck’s majestic Nordkette mountain range: Step on board the Nordkette cable car designed by star-architect Zaha Hadid and rise to new heights with fantastic views – and all in just twenty minutes from Innsbruck’s old town. Now this we call unique!