Ascensore Castello D’Albertis – Montegalletto is one of 12 mass transit elevators operated by AMT Genova, but what makes this one unique is that it is likely the only elevator in the world that runs horizontally as well as vertically. The vertical run operates similarly to any ordinary elevator and spans 69.33 meters, except that the system is completely automated. There are no buttons to push. The horizontal run is 236.05 meters for Cabin 1 and 233.88 meters for Cabin 2. Speeds are 1.6 meters per second on the vertical and 4.5 on the horizontal run. The horizontal run is considered to be a funicular. I took the 36 bus to the Dogali stop, so my round-trip run on the Ascensore began at the top, resulting a round trip – which is captured in this video – plus a one-way trip on the descent to Via Balbi, which I did not record.
The 12 Ascensores of Genova are mass-transit conveyances and such require a validated ticket for entry and use. For tourists on short trips, tickets are strictly paper – no smartphone apps or RFID (“oyster”) cards. The best deal for tourists is the 24-hour pass for four people, which costs 9 € (2016).
The entrance at Via Balbi is located diagonally across from the Piazza Principe train station.
History and Specifications: https://www.amt.genova.it/amt/trasporto-multimodale/ascensori/ascensore-montegalletto/
24 Hour Day Pay for 4 People: https://www.amt.genova.it/amt/biglietti-e-abbonamenti/biglietti/biglietto-24-ore-4-persone/
Operator: https://www.amt.genova.it/amt/