The steep Virgolo/Virgl mountain in Bolzano, Italy has been practically inaccessible to visitors for almost forty years, following the close of the city’s historic funicular in 1976. This is about to change – The SIGNA Group hosted an international design competition for a new cable car transit system, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the surrounding landscape and city below with only a minute ride on a cable car. Snøhetta was awarded first prize in the competition and the commission.
A Journey out of Town
Two rings – one as the base station, the other as a top station – form the framework of the cable car that connects the rings tangentially. Travel time will be a mere 1 minute and 11 seconds, making the Virgolo/Virgl just 5 minutes from the historic centre of Bolzano, the Piazza Walther/Walterplatz. The landscape design at the base station will bring a piece of nature to the city, thanks to the green topography that marks the end of the Südtirolerstraße.
The top station will serve as an urban interface with nature, housing a restaurant, café, infinity pool and meeting rooms. The development will provide a new view of the city from above, along with and possibilities for exploration, recreation and relaxation. The new ‘Mountain Square’ atop the Virgolo/Virgl will offer a flexible space for events – from open-air markets to concerts.The project is currently displayed in the showroom of department store Bozen Bolzano in the Palais Menz in Bolzano Mustergasse. The showroom is open on weekdays daily from 16-20 clock, and Saturdays 10-14. Source and images cortesy of Snøhetta.