Lavra Elevator, Lisbon
For the worst possible reasons, the historical elevators were the center of news this September. The tragic accident in Lisbon, in the Glory Elevator, took his life to 16 people and caused numerous injuries, several in serious condition.
In Portugal, there are 8 historical elevators In activity, of which 5 are classified and protected: the Lavra, Glory, Bica and Carmo elevator, all in Lisbon, and classified as the National Monument, and the Bom Jesus do Monte elevator in Braga, classified as a monument of public interest.
O Braga elevator is the oldest Funicular of the Iberian Peninsula, and was inaugurated in 1882.
O Guindais elevator It also enjoys protection because it is included in the historic area of the city of Porto. It was inaugurated in 1891, but completely reformulated in 2004.
Already the Elevators of Nazareth and that of Santa Luziain Viana do Castelo, do not enjoy any type of protection.
The Nazareth elevator was completely remodeled in 2002 and that of Viana do Castelo, inaugurated in 1923 – The Background And overcoming the largest unevenness in Portugal – was completely remodeled in 2007.
Among other works, were replaced their carriagesbeing one of the old, preserved and exposed at the top of the hill of Santa Luzia.
O Glory Elevatorinaugurated in 1885, travels a distance of 276 meters, having undergone several changes over the time. It was completely remodeled in 1944.
It is a historical elevator – One of the main tourist attractions of the capital, with an average use of 3 million passengers/year – which maintains its function and many of its original characteristics. A TRUE PIECE OF MUSEUM.
Are therefore, the latest compositions – Completely reformulated and/or replaced – that do not enjoy any kind of protection. It is understandable. THE heritage was adulterated, and as such, its protection is not justified.
But What we are really protectingWhen do we classify an elevator as a national monument?
Your history, your materiality, your function? We are indeed, before a crossroads. If we endow a structure of equipment that attribute it modernity and safety, We completely misrepresent your story and its materiality. If we do not endow it, we risk, maintaining all its originality, because, certainly, its functionality and security.
Unfortunately, There were several accidents which have been verified over the last decades in this type of equipment. Even before they are considered historical heritage.
Guindais funicular is an example: its use has been interrupted practically Shortly after its inauguration, due to a serious accidenthaving resumed the assiduous circulation only from 2004, with completely new compositions, having subsided only the old machine of machines.
The real enjoyment of this type of heritage is directly related to its function. It is its function that characterizes it and makes it unique.
Although many are in fact classified, the solution will certainly go through the musealization of centenary material and refunctionalization with new equipment, safe and modern. It is possible to maintain the function, the charisma and the mythical, without questioning safety.
And by the registered numbers, both in Porto and Viana do Castelo, the modernization of this material, NO NADA PUNDED THE SEARCH by its users.
The conservation of this historical heritage has failed. As an agent of the sector, I feel almost as responsible, because it happened. The enjoyment of our heritage will not be able to assume any damage. Not even the good to protect it, obviously, but above all from those who enjoy this same heritage.
One Final Word of Comfort and Courage For the wounded and for the family members of the deadly victims and for all the Lisbon that, like me, nourish great esteem and affection for all this kind of experiences and memories of our city of Lisbon.
