The Larreineta Funicular is celebrating its centenary throughout September with a program of cultural, educational, and festive activities organized by Euskotren and various institutions. This historic transport, which influenced the development of the mining area of Bizkaia, remains active today for both residents and visitors.
The departments of Sustainable Mobility and Tourism, Trade, and Consumption of the Basque Government, the department of Transport, Mobility, and Tourism of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, and the Trapagaran City Council have collaborated in organizing this celebration program. The agenda includes the publication of a commemorative book and comic, an itinerant exhibition, and a festive day for the public, among other activities.
The inauguration took place on September 24, 1926, and since then, the funicular has connected the upper part of the municipality, Larreineta and La Arboleda, with the valley. Its unique horizontal platform, unparalleled in Europe, allowed a journey that previously took an hour and a half to be completed in ten minutes, transporting workers, goods, and heavy vehicles.
Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2014, the funicular continues to be a key pillar for sustainable mobility. This year, for its centenary, Euskotren has completed a comprehensive renovation of the cabins, offering greater comfort and accessibility. Additionally, the permanent exhibition of historical photographs at the stations will be expanded, and a tactile model adapted for visually impaired individuals will be installed, consolidating it as a benchmark for inclusive tourism.
From September 14 to 21, the itinerant exhibition ‘De Bizkaia de toda la vida’ can be visited at Plaza Llano (Trapagaran). On the 15th, at the Olaso Palace in Trapagaran, a conference will be held on the illustrated book and the commemorative youth comic, featuring illustrations by local designer Amaia Ballesteros. Both publications have been coordinated by Juanjo Olaizola, director of the Basque Railway Museum.
On Saturday, September 19, the Grand Celebration of the 100th Anniversary will take place throughout the day, distributed among Plaza Lauaxeta (Trapagaran), Larreineta, and La Arboleda. The funicular's regular service will be reinforced on this day. On September 26, a day of activities will be held in Trapagaran, including choral performances, a poetry recital by Pilar Zurro, and a performance by Danetarako Danok Dantza Taldea.
Throughout the year, other initiatives have been carried out, such as the creation of a commemorative stamp by Correos and the installation of permanent exhibitions. Furthermore, a mountain march was held in July with over a hundred participants. Susana García Chueca, Minister of Sustainable Mobility and president of Euskotren, highlighted that the funicular is "a paradigmatic example of how a means of transport improves social and territorial cohesion".
Sonia Pérez Ezquerra, Deputy of Transport, Mobility, and Tourism for the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, emphasized that the funicular is "a living heritage of Bizkaia, an element that unites transport, memory, and tourism, allowing us to keep our past connected with the future".
Miguel Ángel Gómez Viar, mayor of Trapagaran, highlighted the inter-institutional collaboration in valuing the funicular "as never before", emphasizing its social and working-class origins, its tourist and recreational value, and its function of connecting the lower and upper parts of the town, as well as the Left Bank and Mining Zone.
The celebration day on Saturday, September 19, will combine tradition, gastronomy, family activities, music, and technology across several stages: Plaza Lauaxeta (Trapagaran), Larreineta, and La Arboleda.
At Plaza Lauaxeta, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, there will be a 360º Immersive Room with projections about Bizkaia and its industrial past. There will also be demonstrations of traditional mining tools, children's mining games, solidarity gastronomy, and workshops. At Larreineta and La Arboleda, guided tours of the funicular and mines will be offered, along with mining gastronomy and a concert by the group OXABI. A videomapping show on the Larreineta station facade will conclude the day.
To participate in the sessions of the 360º Immersive Room and the Iron River guided tours, prior registration is required at www.100larreineta.eus.
