The only funicular railway in Switzerland that is still powered by water (like many others originally were!). When one of the two carriages reaches the mountain station, over two tons of wastewater pour into its tank. At the same time, the tank of the carriage at the valley station empties. The upper carriage now weighs enough to pull the lower one up. In this way, the difference in altitude of around 60 m is overcome in a completely ecological way. In 1996, operations had to be discontinued due to technical defects. In contrast to similar railways, which were subsequently completely modernized, electrified and automated (e.g. the Marzilibahn in Bern), the restored railway, which had also been externally restored to its original condition, was able to resume operations as before in 1998.

A ride on the Funi can be many things: fun with this technical cultural asset, a welcome relief in overcoming the difference in altitude between the lower and upper town, or an invitation to reflect on how we use our planet's resources.

Starting point:
After arriving in Fribourg via the Pont de Bern, stay in the lower town and walk over the Pont du Milieu and the Pont St-Jean. Rue de la Neuveville leads to the funicular.
From the mountain station, either turn right along the Route des Alpes to the cathedral or left along the Route St-Pierre to the station with connection to the signposted Way of St. James.

Time required:
Virtually no additional time expenditure

Info:
www.seilbahn-nostalgie.ch/fribourg.html
www.communitywalk.com/sehenswerte_orte_in_fribourg (with timetable)

Public transport:
Freiburg train station