Welcome
Symbol of the city of Genoa, the Lighthouse, with its 77 meters of height is the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean. According to some sources, its foundation dates back to 1128: it then reached its definitive appearance in 1543. In 2001 the promenade that connects it with the rest of the city was built: a path of about 800 meters that offers a suggestive view of the port of Genoa and takes up the ancient access road from the west, through the Porta Nuova della Lanterna. Start the tour, buy your ticket! > CLICK HERE
THE TOWER – An unusual point of view on Genoa
With the climb to the first panoramic terrace, the extraordinary view extends 360° over Genoa, the port with its passenger and container terminals, the seventeenth-century city walls and the ring of forts that surround the city, the Ligurian Apennines and Mount Portofino.
THE OPEN AIR MUSEUM – An open-air museum in the park
Along the promenade – built in 2001 with a suggestive route that takes up the ancient access road from the west to the city – and in the park at the foot of the lighthouse, a series of panels narrate the historical and urban context, the activities and the present and past port professions and propose, where still possible, comparisons between historical iconography, views, archive photos and current events. Also in the park is the nineteenth-century, monumental PORTA NUOVA.
THE MUSEUM – A journey through the history of the city
Inside what remains of the fortress that concluded the city walls at the foot of the lighthouse, in the ancient gunner rooms and in the Ghibelline gallery, the Lantern is the protagonist in the iconographic imagination and in the representations of the city over the centuries. Furthermore, in the rifle rooms, the lighthouse museum houses lenses, mechanics and models.
// HISTORY
According to some sources, the first tower was built in 1128, a little less tall than the actual tower, with a similar architectural structure, but with three overlapping crenellated logs. At its top, to advise approaching ships, bundles of dry stalks of heather or broom were lighten up.
The documents of the XI century, the first chronicles and the official acts of the rising municipality of Genoa, provide sure facts on the signal tower, but not on its exact building data. In 1318, during the war between Guelphs and Ghibellines, the tower suffered from considerable damages on the ground, inferred by the Ghibellines; in 1321, consolidation works were made, and a ditch was excavated to make the tower more defendable.
The first Lanterna was established in 1326; the oil lamp was fed by olive oil. In regard to that, the analyst Giorgio Stella wrote: “in this year, a big lantern was made on the tower of Capo Faro, so that, when the oil lamp was switched on in the dark nights, the sailors knew the access to the city”.
To better identify the Lanterna in our city, in 1340, the emblem of the Genoa’s municipality was painted at the top of the lower tower by the painter Evangelista from Milan. The ancient iconographic representation of the first tower of the Lanterna is from 1371, and appears in a pen draw on a parchment cover of the textbook of “Salvatori del Porto”. In this textbook, all the expenditures for the illumination, the Lanterna’s crystals, the lamps, the oil and the nominations of guardians were registered.
// TIMETABLE
OPEN Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30); CLOSED December 25th and January 1st
SPECIAL OPENINGS:
March 31st (Easter)
April 1st (Easter Monday)
from April 25th to May 5th (May 1st incl.)
from June 21st to 24th
Exceptions: – 1 November (26 October to 5 November): open from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30) – Christmas (from 26 to 31 December): open from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30) (on 24 and 31 December last admission at 16.30, closed at 17.00) – Epiphany (5, 6 and 7 January): open from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30)
NOTICE: In case of bad weather / thunderstorm / weather alert visits are suspended.
The visit to the Open Air Museum, Museum and Tower (first panoramic terrace) takes about 30 minutes
// TICKETS
ONLINE RESERVATION AND TICKET recommended
> CLICK HERE
FULL TICKET 8€ including Open Air Museum, museum and Lighthouse (first terrace of the lighthouse)
Only Open Air Museum: 4€
Free entry for children under the age of 6
“Visit the Musem and support the Lanterna: the funds will help us to take care of it!”
// REDUCED TICKET 6€ > MORE INFO
// COMBINED TICKETS
COMBINED TICKET with Genoa Aquarium (online only)*
> CLICK HERE
COMBINED TICKET with Galata Museo del Mare + Submarine
> CLICK HERE
// GROUPS
ORGANIZED groups – guided tour: ticket 18 euros including guided tour (minimum 20 – max 25 paying people* + 1 free companion, service provided by qualified guides within the structure) Only by reservation, writing to info@lanternadigenova.it
// DIRECTIONS
The lighthouse is just a 10 min walk from the nearby Dinegro underground station and from the Ferry Terminal parking lot. > MORE INFO
// NOTICE
> Admission to the lighthouse is allowed for a limited number of people at the same time
> There are 172 steps to reach the first panoramic balcony of the lighthouse: visitors need to be in good physical conditions. The visit is not recommended for people with heart diseases, mobility problems and for pregnant women
> Visitors need to wear appropriate shoes to visit the lighthouse
> In case of bad weather/thunderstorm/ weather alert visits are suspended
> Animals are not allowed
> Minors must be accompanied
> A pair of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) guards the Lighthouse: the presence of pigeon and seagull’s remains is due to them
> Do not lean over, do not climb over or throw objects from the parapets
> Upon entry, the contents of any bags, backpacks, suitcases, jackets and bum bags of any size will be checked by guards (with a special identification tag). Access (even to the external areas) will not be allowed to visitors who do not agree to undergo the checks. Toy guns of any kind, compressed air guns, rocket guns, shooting guns, slingshots and any other object that could be considered a weapon, drones not expressly authorized, tripods or any object of a bulky nature are not allowed. Specifically: firearms of all kinds, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, knives of any size, climbing ropes and other objects deemed unsuitable for the visit, for the safety of the monument and the staff. Backpacks of any size, photographic tripods and/or bulky items must be left in the cloakroom after checking.
> In the outdoor areas it is forbidden to play ball, ride a bike, use skateboards, roller blades, scooters, overboards and drones and it is forbidden to consume food (no picnic area).
> According to the Decr. Law 83/2014 (art.12 paragraph 3) professional photos and videos and/or for commercial activities and/or for specific projects must be authorized and may be subject to the payment of image rights to the Institution Mu.MA – Musei del Mare and migration. These activities must also be agreed with the PHAROS HERITAGE SRLS manager by writing to info@lanternadigenova.it. We remind you that the above unauthorized shootings can be legally prosecuted. ONLY AMATEUR PHOTOS MADE WITH NON-PROFESSIONAL MEDIA OR FOR STUDY PURPOSE ARE AUTHORIZED.
> The Administration is relieved of any liability relating to damage to persons or property caused by non-compliance with this regulation.
TIMETABLE
FROM SEPTEMBER 18: OPEN Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30) CLOSED December 25th and January 1st
Exceptions:
– 1 November (26 October to 5 November): open from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30)
– Christmas (from 26 to 31 December): open from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30) (on 24 and 31 December last admission at 16.30, closed at 17.00)
– Epiphany (5, 6 and 7 January): open from 10.00 to 18.00 (last admission 17.30)
NOTICE
In case of bad weather / thunderstorm / weather alert visits are suspended
The visit to the Open Air Museum, Museum and Tower (first panoramic terrace)
takes about 30 minutes
BIGLIETTI // TICKETS
ONLINE RESERVATION AND TICKET recommended > CLICK HERE
FULL TICKET 8€
Open Air Museum, museum and Lighthouse (first terrace of the lighthouse)
Only Open Air Museum: 4€
Free entry for children under the age of 6
“Visit the Musem and support the Lanterna: the funds will help us to take care of it!”
BIGLIETTI COMBINATI // COMBINED TICKETS BIGLIETTO COMBINATO con Acquario di Genova (solo online)* > CLICCA QUI
BIGLIETTO COMBINATO con Galata Museo del Mare + Sottomarino
> CLICCA QUI
GRUPPI // GROUPS
ORGANIZED groups – guided tour: ticket 18 euros including guided tour (minimum 20 – max 25 paying people* + 1 free companion, service provided by qualified guides within the structure)
By reservation, writing to info@lanternadigenova.it
// REDUCTIONS // REDUCED TICKET 6€ > MORE INFO
//RULES
NOTICE
> Admission to the lighthouse is allowed for a limited number of people at the same time
> There are 172 steps to reach the first panoramic balcony of the lighthouse: visitors need to be in good physical conditions. The visit is not recommended for people with heart diseases, mobility problems and for pregnant women
> Visitors need to wear appropriate shoes to visit the lighthouse
> In case of bad weather/thunderstorm/ weather alert visits are suspended
> Animals are not allowed
> Minors must be accompanied
> A pair of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) guards the Lighthouse: the presence of pigeon and seagull’s remains is due to them
> Do not lean over, do not climb over or throw objects from the parapets
> Upon entry, the contents of any bags, backpacks, suitcases, jackets and bum bags of any size will be checked by guards (with a special identification tag). Access (even to the external areas) will not be allowed to visitors who do not agree to undergo the checks. Toy guns of any kind, compressed air guns, rocket guns, shooting guns, slingshots and any other object that could be considered a weapon, drones not expressly authorized, tripods or any object of a bulky nature are not allowed. Specifically: firearms of all kinds, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, knives of any size, climbing ropes and other objects deemed unsuitable for the visit, for the safety of the monument and the staff. Backpacks of any size, photographic tripods and/or bulky items must be left in the cloakroom after checking.
> In the outdoor areas it is forbidden to play ball, ride a bike, use skateboards, roller blades, scooters, overboards and drones and it is forbidden to consume food (no picnic area).
> According to the Decr. Law 83/2014 (art.12 paragraph 3) professional photos and videos and/or for commercial activities and/or for specific projects must be authorized and may be subject to the payment of image rights to the Institution Mu.MA – Musei del Mare and migration. These activities must also be agreed with the PHAROS HERITAGE SRLS manager by writing to info@lanternadigenova.it. We remind you that the above unauthorized shootings can be legally prosecuted. ONLY AMATEUR PHOTOS MADE WITH NON-PROFESSIONAL MEDIA OR FOR STUDY PURPOSE ARE AUTHORIZED.
> The Administration is relieved of any liability relating to damage to persons or property caused by non-compliance with this regulation.
