The Tiflis Funicular railway was constructed to develop the uninhabited Mtatsminda plateau that overlooks the city and was opened on 27 March 1905. The railway carriage accommodated up to 50 people and the journey time was 6 minutes. Vaso Kvavilashvili, the first locomotive-driver of the Funicular recalls: “At first people feared that the rope might break and they did not want to climb into the carriage. People were brought in coaches, were paid money, and were urged not to be afraid and to get into the carriage. Later, when people got used to the railroad, there was a long line for tickets.” The popularity of the Funicular was further increased when an entertainment and leisure park was constructed on the Mtatsminda plateau in the 1930s. In the days of the Soviet Union, Mtatsminda Park was the third most visited public park in the USSR, Gorky Park in Moscow being number one. Read more about Mtatsminda Park here. The Funicular Railway underwent several reconstructions until being replaced in 2012 with modern equipment and carriages. The ride up Mt Mtatsminda on the recently reconstructed Funicular is spectacular, as are the views from the top – and the Funicular Complex restaurant building has a couple of great places to eat or drink. There is a big amusement park for kids and adults, bars, cafes, night club, TV tower and spectacular views over the Tbilisi from 710 meter high mountain.