The Petrin Funicular by Prague Public Transit Company, designed by Anna Maresova designers

The design of the new Petřín Funicular combines simple, elegant lines with high functionality and a timeless character. The project was created by Anna Marešová designers (Anna Marešová, Tomáš Chludil, Jakub Žanony and others), winners of the public design competition organized by Prague Public Transit Company in 2022.

The designers drew inspiration from the original 1985 funicular and built upon its subtle formal language. The cabins feature generous panoramic windows, including a glazed roof, four separate compartments with individual entrances, and a capacity of up to 120 standing passengers. Foldable seats serve as leaning supports during the short, three-minute ride, while barrier-free access and sufficient space for wheelchair users, strollers, and bicycles ensure inclusivity. The studio also designed the complete iconography and graphic system for the vehicles. A key inspiration was the atmosphere of Petřín Hill, a place traditionally associated with love, joy, and lightness.

The competition brief emphasized a strong connection between the design and its location, requiring emotional engagement and interaction with this iconic “Hill of Love.” Anna Marešová designers responded with a sensitive and elegant solution. The most distinctive feature is a playful interaction between the cabins: When passing each other, one car “winks,” while the other blushes red. Which car takes which role is never predetermined, adding a moment of surprise and emotion to every journey.

The vehicles are currently being manufactured by the Swiss company CWA, part of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group. Thanks to the close involvement of the design studio in the preparation of the technical documentation and supervision of production, the project has remained faithful to the original vision. The design respects historical context, technical constraints, and principles of sustainability, and is intended to serve the city and its inhabitants for decades to come.