Belvedere Elsa Morante e dei Cannoni
Procida
Hidden gemViews & panoramas
The story
From the terrace named after Elsa Morante, among old cannons trained on the bay, the view opens onto the Corricella and its pastel houses heaped upon the water.
Access
FREE
The story
On the highest point of Procida, towards Terra Murata, open two of the most beautiful belvederes of the island: that of the Cannoni (Cannons), near the great bastion with the Iron Gate (the only access to the fortified village), and the one named after Elsa Morante, the writer who set 'Arturo's Island' in Procida.
What to see
The view that from here takes in the inlet of the Corricella, with its fishermen's houses sheer above the sea, Terra Murata and the beach of Chiaia, as far as Monte di Procida, the Neapolitan coast and Vesuvius. One of the symbol-panoramas of Procida, magical at dawn.
How to get there
- Hydrofoil
- Ferry
Hours and prices
Free entry.
Tips
The belvederes are in the open and freely accessible, on the climb towards Terra Murata: they are reached on foot from Corricella or from the centre. Come early in the morning, when the sun lights up the Corricella and sets its colours aglow. Comfortable shoes are useful for the climbs.
Frequently asked questions
What can you see from the Belvedere Elsa Morante?
The Corricella with its coloured houses, Terra Murata, the beach of Chiaia and, in the distance, Monte di Procida, the Neapolitan coast and Vesuvius.
Why is it dedicated to Elsa Morante?
Because the writer set her novel 'Arturo's Island' in Procida; the belvedere bears her name.
What is the Belvedere dei Cannoni?
A belvedere near the great bastion of Terra Murata, close to the Iron Gate, with a view over the Corricella.
More gems in Procida
VillagesMarina Corricella
Procida
The oldest fishermen's borgo (old village) on Procida, an amphitheatre of pastel houses tumbling down to the harbour, where the boats sleep beneath the hanging laundry.
Sacred artTerra Murata
Procida
The ancient core of Procida climbs the yellow tufo (volcanic tuff) headland, between defensive walls and narrow alleys, suspended between the little harbour of Corricella and the horizon of the bay.
Sacred artAbbazia di San Michele
Procida
Behind the walls of Terra Murata, the abbey dedicated to its patron Michael guards paintings, an antique presepe (nativity scene) and catacombe carved into the tufo, its vault turned towards the sea.
- Free beaches
Spiaggia del Pozzo Vecchio ("del Postino")
Procida
The dark-sand beach where Massimo Troisi filmed Il Postino, tucked below the cemetery and the tufo walls, with shallow water and the stillness of a film set never struck.
- Free beaches
Spiagge di Chiaia
Procida
A long stairway leads down to it: a broad stretch of sand and shingle sheltered by high tufo walls, with the fishing boats of the Corricella colouring the background.
- Free beaches
Chiaiolella
Procida
The crescent-shaped little harbour on Procida's gentler side, with moored boats, tables at the water's edge and the bridge that leads from here towards the island of Vivara.
More gems: Views & panoramas
Views & panoramasBelvedere di San Martino
Vomero
From the forecourt of the Certosa the gaze drops sheer onto Naples: the rooftops of the old centre, the bay, Vesuvius and the islands far off — all in a single frame.
Views & panoramasFontana del Gigante
via Partenope
A seventeenth-century fountain by Pietro Bernini and Naccherino, moved again and again before settling on the seafront: marble and tritons facing the water, in the shadow of Castel dell'Ovo.
Views & panoramasGran Caffè Gambrinus
P.za Trieste e Trento
Mirrors, stucco and Belle Époque velvet: at the counter you order an espresso and, by old Neapolitan custom, you leave a second one paid for whoever comes next.
◆ Views & panoramasPalazzo Mannajuolo (scala ellittica)
via Filangieri
The elliptical staircase climbs in a perfect spiral of steps and Liberty-style railings: lean over from the top and the eye falls into a vortex of stone.
◆ Views & panoramas
Rampe di Pizzofalcone
Monte di Dio
The ramps drop in hairpins from Monte di Dio, between old walls and sudden glimpses of the sea: a slow shortcut worth taking for the view alone.
- Views & panoramas
Lungomare
via Partenope
A seafront walk from via Partenope: Vesuvius straight ahead, Castel dell'Ovo out on the water, and all of Naples strolling slowly through the evening between a gelato and the horizon.