They arrive at the elevator, read the sign, check their watches, and turn back. Some try to press the button anyway, but eventually give up. The scene repeats itself systematically in the late morning. Those who pay the price are especially those tourists who have included a visit to Castello in their itinerary. During the hottest hours of the day, however, to reach the city's historic district, one must walk or take the bus due to the partial closures of the three main elevators. This inconvenience is further exacerbated on Sundays by the presence of cruise passengers just disembarked at the port and with little time to visit the capital. "We didn't know," all the tourists say. "It's not our lucky day," says a Roman family on vacation.
The reasons
The partial shutdown, limited to certain hours, was imposed by the Municipality starting July 1st due to technical limitations imposed on the operation of the lifts, particularly regarding the temperature inside the lift shafts and equipment rooms. Temperatures recorded during the summer months, in fact, can compromise the proper functioning of the lifts and therefore the safety of users.
Bastion
The lift from Viale Regina Elena, in the Garden beneath the walls, to the Bastione di Saint Remy is closed daily from 11:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. In the event of a heat alert, however, the suspension will be extended to 6:00 p.m. The sign is located a few meters before the lift, where all tourists turn back. "We'll have to walk," says a Spanish cruise passenger wearing a Valencia jersey and his girlfriend, confirming that he wasn't aware of the suspension. Thus, despite the 30-degree heat, intense heat, and sun, many have had to use the stairs to reach the Bastione. The alternative would be the bus, with CTM lines 7 and 10, but no tourists are considering this option, especially cruise passengers: "We don't have much time," they say. Others give up: "It's impossible like this, at this point we're going to the beach," says another couple on vacation from Spain.
Palace Square
The other elevator that stops during the hottest hours is the elevator at L'Unione Sarda, but only the second one. The first elevator from Viale Regina to the sports center is working, but once you get on, you'll encounter a closure sign: every day from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, but on days with a high-temperature warning, the closure is extended until 5:00 PM. And even then, many people have to turn back, with the added insult of having taken an elevator in vain because there's no warning downstairs.
