The new cable car up Prague’s Petřín Hill, designed by Anna Marešová, has been honoured with the prestigious German Design Award 2025. The innovative design combines modern technology with sustainable practices and incorporates a playful interaction between the carriages. The cable car is expected to begin operation in 2026.
An international jury has recognised the design of the new Petřín cable car carriages with the German Design Award 2025. Created by designer Anna Marešová for the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP), the carriages were awarded the Excellence in Product Design 2025 title in the Aviation, Marine, and Railway category. The award ceremony is scheduled for early February 2025 in Frankfurt am Main. This marks the second win in this category for Anna Marešová and her design team, who previously received the German Design Award in 2021 for their work on DPP’s T3 Coupé tram.
The prestigious award is decided by an independent international jury comprising 35 experts from the fields of industry, science, and design. It recognises the exceptional work of Anna Marešová’s Czech design studio, led by its founder. The cable car design, set to be produced by the Austrian-Swiss Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group early next year, represents an innovative technical solution paired with a sustainable approach. “It’s the details that count,” emphasises Anna Marešová. According to the jury, attention to detail and precision in craftsmanship are key to ensuring the product’s high quality and longevity.
The new cable car design seamlessly blends elegant, simple lines with practicality. Its cabins, featuring large panoramic windows, offer passengers a unique experience. Each cabin has four compartments with separate entrances and can accommodate up to 120 standing passengers. The seats are adjustable, doubling as armrests for those preferring to stand during the three-minute journey. Wheelchair-accessible entrances make boarding easy for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs. A standout feature is the interaction between the cabins: when two cable cars pass each other, one “winks” at the other, with its interior lighting turning red—a playful touch to enhance the ride.
Following the completion of technical documentation with the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, final visualisations were prepared to showcase the cable car’s design. The year-long project has remained true to its original vision, with only minor enhancements. “I am thrilled that we managed to keep our vision almost intact. Some changes have even improved it. Now we look forward to the production of the cars and the renovation of the track next year. This award is a fantastic motivation for us,” adds Anna Marešová.
On Friday, 13 September 2024, the current Petřín cable car carriages made their final journey. The track was severely damaged by extreme rainfall, prompting DPP to halt operations earlier than planned to allow for reconstruction. Over four weekends in October, nearly 5,000 visitors bid farewell to the old carriages. The new cable car is set to begin service in 2026 after the completion of all planned upgrades.
