On the very far bottom left of this photo is the Zecca-Righi Funicular Station which we are about to go in.
Up...up...up we go. The funicular travels almost 2 kilometers up the Righi Hill in Genoa.
On the way up....we stop at 7 funicular stations. This one above is so steep that the platform is stairs! Yikes.
We are heading to the VERY top.
Don't look down.
Completely built in one section in 1963.
Passing our fellow funicular.
The funicular track is 4685 feet long with a rise of elevation of 915 feet!
We arrive at the Zecca Station at the very top and this is the view before we even leave the station.
Oh my gosh...I feel like we are in the clouds.
To get to the forts, or higher views, we aren't quite sure the direction.
There are no signs. So...we have to check out our best educated guesses of where to go.
A beautiful walk in a mostly residential area, but seems we are on the right track.
Everything is blossoming and blooming.
From someones parking spot for their car, this is the view!
The Port of Genoa.
More blossoms.
Incredible perch up here.
An Eurasian Blue Tit......I am not making that up.
These little guys are safe for now on the conservation list.
We have changed directions because our wee road ended. Following other people, with cameras, we find ourselves in a Protective National Park.
2000 feet above sea level.
It is gorgeous here.
On our way back out, we stopped here for a cappuccino.
But on our way through, I asked if we could visit this fort. The lovely Italian woman shared with me that none of the forts are open for visitors. They are not safe for exploring. You can climb to them, around them, but not in them.
From the bus station to the second fort, not this one, it is a 2.5 km hike one way.
We decide to continue on as we have come a ways to see it.
Genoa from the top.
Spectacular.
In my opinion worth the hike.
360' panoramic views of Genoa, Italy.
I spot a fort......Forte Specola I believe. A very long way from us. (below)
One of the forts is Puin Forte which is now used as an observation site to spot wildfires.
Parco Delle Mura, (Park of the City Walls) was such a great place to spend the afternoon.
From here we can see all the forts surrounding Genoa. It covers 611 hectares.
Incredible.
Binoculars or a camera with amazing zoom will allow you to see them better.
Forte Sperone. (below)
A focal point of the 'Mura Nuove of 1630,' when the last of the cities fortified walls were built. It is a ring of walls and forts on the mountain ridges surrounding Genoa.
Along the ridges of the mountains you can just make out more walls and forts.
Forte Sperone is located just up there. But we have decided, because we can't go in it, to hike to the base for photos.
Beautiful blossoms.
Almost feels like a rainforest.
Everything is sooooooo green and lush.
Partial ancient wall that we actually walked by when we were searching for our way.
Love the sun through these vines wrapped around this tree trunk.
A view of the Port from the last bridge leaving the Park.
Astounding.
My sweet Black Bird singing his little heart out.
The Righi Astronomical Observatory is at the entrance to the gate of the Park and only 100 meters from the funicular station.
When we arrived there was a school group visiting.
"Hey Debbie, our lifts here."
After about 10 km walking today, we are heading down and making our way home.
What a great day.
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