Scalinata Montaldo Staircase… Genoa Landmark That Takes the Breath Away

Genoa has plenty of options to keep visitors entertained over the course of a weekend.

The Aquarium of Genoa in Portico Antico is one of Europe’s largest, the Caruggi is a dense collection of narrow streets and alleyways that date back to medieval times, while Piazza De Ferrari is the city’s main square with its magnificent fountain the centrepiece.

You can also take a nosey through the house of Christopher Columbus and the beautiful village of Boccadasse is just a 20-minute drive outside the city.

Yet one landmark more than any other will take the breath away… and leave your leg muscles burning.

Close to the Luigi Ferraris, the Scalinata Montaldo is a towering staircase that leads down towards the stadium from Piazzale Marassi.

With more than 270 steps, the Scalinata is quite the challenge for those going in the other direction. With the gradient sharp and the climb long, the steps can be a bit of a slog at times and breathers are recommended. A railing divides the stairs in two, with each side coloured red and blue.

No matter the weather conditions, by the end of the climb you’ll undoubtedly feel beads of sweat beginning to trickle. But the view is absolutely worth the struggle and torment.

Overlooking the city from the Scalinata, the Marassi – still one of the best stadiums in the country despite its age – can be seen in its majestic, architectural splendour.

On match days, fans from both teams pile into and around Roxy Bar that sits at the bottom of the stairs to share a beer and get into the pre-match buzz. They spill out on to the street and congregate at the bottom section of the Scalinata.

If going to see the Rossoblu or Blucerchiati, then climbing the steps is a rite of passage. As they say, to get to paradise you must go through purgatory.