Masada cableway

The Masadabahn (Hebrew רכבל מצדה ) in Israel is the lowest altitude cable car in the world and runs almost entirely below sea level, because the mountain station just below the summit plateau of Masada is located only 33 meters above sea level, the valley station, however, 257 m below the sea ​​level. The railway connects the nearby ruins on the plateau of around 40 BC to 30 BC fortress built with a further east valley station, allowing tourists comfortable access.

History

The construction of a cable car to Masada was very controversial because it changed greatly the appearance of the site, even if the mountain station " was hidden" not on the plateau, but including in the rock. It has also greatly strengthened the number of visitors. In 1971 the first Masadabahn was built by Karl Brandle. She had two cabins and a support. Since there were long waiting times, the decision was made on the occasion of the millennium a new track build. This new aerial tramway was built between 1995 and 2000 by the Swiss company Von Roll parallel to the old and cost over € 40 million. She took in 1999 on the operation. For a time there were two cars next to each other, after some time the old one was completely removed.

Route

The railway brings you in three minutes a height difference of 290 meters over a length of 900 meters. Unlike the original path has no current supports, thus allowing a hanger that completely surrounds the two supporting ropes and the traction cable. The new mountain station is also below the plateau in the rock, but a little higher than the old one and is connected by a slightly rising bridge with the snake path gate. This also barrier-free access is now possible at the old railway, visitors had to walk a serpentine path.

View from the mountain station

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