Lighthouse of Genoa

Welcome to the Lanterna di Genova, the iconic lighthouse that has served as the symbol of this great maritime city for nearly nine hundred years. Standing tall at 76 meters from its base—and an impressive 117 meters above sea…

While the current tower is a Renaissance masterpiece, the history of this site begins much earlier. Documents from 1128 confirm that a lookout tower already existed here on the Capo di Faro. …

The current appearance of the Lanterna is the result of a massive reconstruction in 1543. During the early 16th century, the original tower had been badly damaged by shelling during conflicts between the Genoese and the French. …

It is time to test our legs and lungs as we begin the climb. There are 172 steps to the first balcony, a winding journey through the heart of the tower. …

Before we descend, let us explore the Lighthouse Museum, located within the ancient fortifications at the base of the tower. This museum offers a scholarly deep-dive into the history of the Lanterna and the city of Genoa. …

Let us return for a final moment to the panoramic view from the balcony. To the east, you can see the dense, terracotta-roofed sprawl of Genoa’s old city, the largest medieval center in Europe. …

To reach the lighthouse, one must walk along the 'Passeggiata della Lanterna,' a modern pedestrian walkway that runs for about 800 meters from the ferry terminal. This path is a fascinating journey in itself, winding its way…

Our journey to the Lanterna di Genova has come to a close, and I hope you carry with you a sense of the immense history and symbolic power of this site. We have explored the medieval origins of the 1128 tower, admired the…