The Belvedere dello Stretto (English: Belvedere of the Strait) are six panoramic observatories to be located in the towers of the Strait of Messina Bridge, on the Sicilian and Calabrian sides, inserted in the cross-beams of the pylons and placed at heights of 123 m, 249 m and 374 m respectively.
History Pietro Ciucci, CEO of Stretto di Messina S.p.A. and head of the Messina Bridge project, when interviewed by Corriere della Sera on February 21, 2024, was asked: “What do you mean by tourism enhancement?”
He replied verbatim:
The Concept and Design The Designer’s Report
On March 14, 2024, Stretto di Messina S.p.A. made the designer’s report public. On page 417, the idea of enhancing the Bridge as a tourist attraction was introduced for the first time. The report mentions a panoramic belvedere located at the third crossbeam and on both towers, at a height of 374 meters.
Tourism enhancement of the cross-elements
Palamara conceived a strategic vision for the "Tourism enhancement of the cross-elements" (valorizzazione turistica dei trasversi) in February 2024. The project proposes transforming the structural cross-beams (transversal beams) of the bridge's deck into observatory decks or functional spaces for international tourism. This concept was officially presented to the Bridge Commission at Palazzo Zanca on 29 November 2024, emphasizing the bridge not only as a transport link but as a standalone destination (destination-bridge).
The preliminary design was developed by Webuild, project developed in dialogue with the technical proposals of engineer Giuseppe Palamara, while the Danish firm COWI, as was also the case for the executive design of the Messina Bridge project, is responsible for the detailed structural design and wind tunnel testing.
See also Strait of Messina Bridge Stretto di Messina Webuild COWI Marco Orlandini
References
External links
Stretto di Messina website Webuild website COWI website