Image by Flickr user Morgaine
The World Fair or Expo’ presents the opportunity for cities to develop and improve their national brand through their exhibitions. Cities see a large influx of tourists eager to see and learn about the country and what it has to offer. In 1992, the maritime city of Lisbon, Portugal was awarded to host the 1998 World Fair. The Parque das Nações (English: Nations’ Park) was selected as the site to display an innovative, modern perspective of historical Lisbon.
It’s theme of “The oceans: A heritage for the future” was conveyed through the development of an Oceanarium as well as the construction of both Vasco Da Gama Mall and Tower. The newly redesigned waterfront was ultimately completed by the construction of a gondola to connect the two venues.
Image by Flickr user Aapo Haapanen
The Telecabine Lisboa (Lisbon Cable Car) is a Doppelmayr built, MDG (monocable detachable gondola) system that leisurely glides over the Parque Nações. The cable car, which is not integrated within Lisbon’s public transit network, travels 1.2 km along the Tagus River connecting the Vasco Da Gama Tower in the north to the Oceanarium in the south.
During the Expo, the gondola provided an efficient means of transportation between the two attractions. Today, however, the cable car operates as its own complimentary attraction that presents both tourists and locals with panoramic views of the Parque Nações and surrounding areas. Though Expo ’98 is long over, the Telecabine Lisboa continues to provide visitors with a fun and memorable experience.
| Length (km) | 1.2 |
| Stations | 2 |
| Year Opened | 1998 |
| Cabin Capacity | 8 (reg) |
| Fare (euro) | 3.95 |
| Trip Time | 8-12 minutes |
| Maximum speed (m/s) | 4 |
| Line Capacity (pphpd) | 2,000 |
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