Castelletto Belvedere

The Castelletto belvedere, in Genoa

The Castelletto belvedere is a magnificent balcony suspended above the historic centre of Genoa, that offers a three hundred and sixty degree view of the city and the sea. The Genoa audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this viewpoint reachable on foot, by lift or by funicular, laid out on the site of a former fortress claimed for destruction by the inhabitants.

History

Sometimes, the best way to appreciate a city is to contemplate it. In Genoa, the Castelletto belvedere is the ideal site for this. Suspended above the historic centre, this magnificent balcony is reachable in many ways: by the strength of the legs for the most sporty, or by lift and funicular for the more relaxed. Whatever the means chosen, the reward is the same: a dizzying three hundred and sixty degree view of the Genoese historic centre, its roofs, the baroque domes of some churches, the summit of medieval towers and the sea to infinity. This Mediterranean Sea was, until 1849, attentively watched from this viewpoint, not for tourism as today, but for military reasons: here once stood the former Castelletto fortress. Fearing to see it fall into the hands of enemies who would have used it to attack the city, the inhabitants claimed its destruction. No part of the work has survived, but its name of "little castle" has remained attached to the esplanade, largely opened to the public in 1910.

What to see

Here you enjoy a balcony suspended above the historic centre, reachable on foot, by lift or by funicular, that offers a dizzying three hundred and sixty degree view of the roofs, the baroque domes, the medieval towers and the sea; it occupies the site of the former Castelletto fortress, destroyed at the request of the inhabitants. The belvedere is the finest viewpoint of Genoa. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Castelletto belvedere, or Spianata Castelletto, dominates the historic centre of Genoa, reachable on foot or by the lift and the funicular that climb from the lower town. It is a viewpoint in free access, particularly beautiful at sunset. You discover it during the climb towards the heights.

Why is the belvedere of Genoa called Castelletto?

Because at this spot once stood the former Castelletto fortress, the "little castle", that watched the sea until 1849; fearing it would fall into the hands of enemies ready to attack the city, the inhabitants claimed its destruction, but its name remained attached to the esplanade, become a magnificent belvedere opened to the public in 1910.

Where is the Castelletto belvedere in Genoa?

Above the historic centre of Genoa, on the heights, in Italy.