Information
Landmark: Ascensor El PeralCity: Valparaiso
Country: Chile
Continent: South America
Ascensor El Peral, Valparaiso, Chile, South America
Overview
Ascensor El Peral in Valparaíso, Chile, is a historic funicular that carries passengers from the bustling Plaza Justicia at street level up to Cerro Alegre, where bright facades, sweeping harbor views, and well-known cultural sites await.Since its doors first opened in 1902, it’s stayed at the heart of Valparaíso’s public transport-clattering up the hills and carrying with it more than a century of the city’s history.First.Opened in 1902, this 52‑meter funicular rises at a steep 48‑degree angle from the Plaza de la Justicia in Valparaíso, where the municipality still runs it; part of the city’s UNESCO‑listed system, it was built to carry people up and down between the busy port and the towering hills above.Ascensor El Peral still carries its original wooden cabin, the scent of aged pine lingering in the air, and its old mechanical frame keeps it running like a living piece of history.Number two.Why should you ride the Ascensor El Peral?Ride one of Valparaíso’s iconic ascensores-a short, scenic trip in a vintage wooden cabin that creaks and sways as it climbs, revealing sweeping views of the city.From the top station, you step right onto Paseo Yugoslavo, a terrace with sweeping views of Valparaíso’s hills and shimmering bay.The neighborhood hums with a bohemian vibe-art galleries tucked into old colonial houses, small boutique hotels, and brightly painted facades catching the afternoon light.Perched beside the upper station, Museo Baburizza-once a grand mansion-now showcases a striking mix of Chilean and European paintings, their colors still vivid against the old wooden floors.From Paseo Yugoslavo, you can take in sweeping views of Valparaíso’s bay and bustling port-perfect for snapping a photo as gulls wheel overhead.The funicular runs Monday to Saturday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and on Sundays and holidays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.A ride costs just $100 CLP (about ten cents) and lasts under a minute.Just steps away, you can stroll along Paseo Yugoslavo for sweeping views of the city and the glittering bay, wander through the art-filled halls of Museo Baburizza in its elegant old mansion, explore the vibrant murals of Cerro Alegre, or pause at Plaza Sotomayor among its monuments and busy cafés beside the Naval Headquarters.In the end, Ascensor El Peral isn’t only a way to get from one level to another-it’s a piece of living history and culture.Stroll through Cerro Alegre, wander the art-filled museums, or pause to take in sweeping city views-no matter your path, the clatter of this iconic Valparaíso funicular is an experience you can’t skip.
