Monte de San Pedro

Monte de San Pedro in A Coruña is home to a striking piece of architecture: the panoramic elevator, which opened in April 2007. This engineering structure connects the city's waterfront promenade with the park on top of the hill, climbing a steep rock face 63 meters (207 feet) high over a stretch of one hundred meters. The project grew out of the idea of ecologically restoring the old quarry landscape at the foot of the hill while also creating safe, controlled access for all visitors. The elevator quickly became a major tourist attraction, carrying thousands of passengers until it was taken out of service.

The heart of the elevator is a fully glazed, spherical cabin that runs along a track bolted to the hillside. The structure consists of a steel frame enclosing the round cabin. Hydraulic motors drive it, engaging two parallel racks via gear wheels, while counterweights balance the movement. An operator controls the cabin from a console inside the sphere. At the bottom, a small pond with a railing protects the sphere from impact and gives the entrance area an aesthetic touch, complemented by a rain shelter and waiting benches.

Although the elevator was originally conceived as a permanent attraction, it had to cease operation in November 2022 due to technical defects. After a lengthy interruption, the decision was made in July 2026 to close the elevator for good. With it, A Coruña loses a unique link between city and nature that allowed visitors to enjoy the view from the hill inside an innovative, round glass structure.