To commemorate the centenary of the Larreineta Funicular, the Basque Government, Euskotren, and the Trapagaran City Council have collaborated on promoting new publications. These two works, a book and a comic, explore the funicular's first 100 years, its social and economic impact, and its significance as an icon of Basque industrial heritage.
The publications, developed under the coordination of Juanjo Olaizola, director of Euskotren's Basque Railway Museum, aim to raise awareness of the funicular's history. This initiative is part of the institutional tribute by Euskadi, Bizkaia, and Trapagaran to its transformative power in the region's development.
Susana García Chueca, Minister of Sustainable Mobility, Miguel Ángel Gómez Viar, Mayor of Trapagaran, and Juanjo Olaizola himself presented the works at the La Escontrilla station. The book, titled Centenario del Funicular de Larreineta, covers essential aspects of its first century, the mining environment of Meatzaldea, the socioeconomic context of Bizkaia and the Trápaga Valley, and the evolution of its public service.
The book, authored by Iñaki Esteban Arispe, Jesús María Esteban Arispe, and Juanjo Olaizola Elordi, also includes examples of other funiculars in Europe and the Basque Country, such as those in Artxanda and Igueldo. It further details the considerations made to ensure mobility in the mining area, ruling out alternatives and opting for the funicular. It also acknowledges the work of the era's employees, particularly regarding those repressed during the Franco regime.
Minister Susana García Chueca emphasized the importance of "preserving the memory, not only of the funicular, but of an entire region." Mayor Gómez Viar, in turn, thanked the authors for their work and announced that the comic will be distributed in local educational centers.
Juanjo Olaizola highlighted the funicular's unique technical characteristics, being the only one globally with detachable cabins, facilitating agile and cost-effective transport.
Additionally, the commemorative comic Funicular de Larreineta, 1926-2026 has been published, featuring illustrations by Amaia Ballesteros and texts by Juanjo Olaizola. This visual work conveys the funicular's development and its contribution to the surrounding area to both young people and adults.
In connection with these publications, a conference on the funicular's history and legacy will be held on September 15th at 6:00 PM in the Palacio Olaso, Trapagaran. The book will be available at retail points in Trapagaran, the Basque Railway Museum shop, and the publisher's website ([https://maquetren.net/](https://maquetren.net/)).
As a new development, Euskotren has completed a comprehensive renovation of the funicular's cabins as part of the centenary celebrations. Following the completion of the works and technical tests, the service will resume this Friday, September 11th, with the refurbished cabins offering a more comfortable and accessible experience. During the renovation, the service was maintained through complementary bus services.
The cabin renovation and the new publications complement numerous events promoted by the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, and the Trapagaran City Council. Activities will continue on September 17th with the presentation of an ONCE lottery ticket, culminating on Saturday, September 19th, with the main centenary festival and cultural day in Trapagaran, Larreineta, and La Arboleda.
The Larreineta Funicular, managed by Euskotren and declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2014, is a symbol of Basque industrial heritage, unique in Europe for its horizontal platform. Its construction characteristics transformed life in the mining environment. Although it originally transported both people and goods, it now serves as the gateway to Meatzaldea, connecting residents and tourists with Larreineta, La Arboleda, and the surrounding natural area.
