A charming hilltop village in Italy is home to an alleyway so narrow that it measures just 43 centimetres at its widest point, yet it is not the world's narrowest. The alley, located in Ripatransone in the Marche region, has become a tourist attraction after gaining fame on social media.
The narrowest section of the alley, at Via Francesco Lunerti, 14, is only 38 centimetres wide before widening to 43 centimetres. Originally a service passage between two medieval houses, the space was reduced over time due to building expansions, turning it into the village's main attraction.
Ripatransone, situated between the Menocchia torrent and the Tesino river, offers stunning panoramic views and a rich historical heritage. Its historic centre features medieval layout, 19th-century buildings, and noble palaces, with narrow streets and alleys opening onto small squares.
The alley received official certification from the local Tourism Office and has a dedicated sign for visitors, located near Piazza XX Settembre and Via Margherita. It claimed the title of Italy's narrowest alley in 1968, surpassing Via Baciadonne in Citta della Pieve, which measures 53 centimetres.
However, the world's narrowest alley is in Gassin, France, at just 29 centimetres, according to National Geographic. For officially registered streets, Spreuerhofstraße in Germany holds the record at 31 centimetres wide.
