Genoa is a small city in Italy; the attractions here are so concentrated that tourists who decide to explore them on their own are at a loss. For example, where to start sightseeing in Genoa - go down to the Old Port or go up the streets to palaces, squares, museums?
Genoese are proud when, when speaking about Genoa, the word “most” is often added: the largest port and water park in Italy, the world’s first bank and stock exchange, the oldest lighthouse in the world - La Lanterna, the most beautiful street in the world - Via Garibaldi, the most The first indigo-colored fabrics, created by the Genoese back in 1500, became the basis for jeans. And Italy is deservedly proud of that beautiful pearl in its necklace of cities, which is Genoa.
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Genoa on the map of Italy
A city in northwestern Italy, stretching out in a narrow 30-kilometer strip along the Gulf of Genoa and running up the slopes of the Apennine Mountains. There is no exact date of foundation, but it has been established that already in the 5th century BC there was already a Ligurian settlement here, hence the Ligurian Sea and the Liguria region, the center of which is Genoa.
Centuries have left their mark on the appearance of the city, which has experienced periods of power and defeat. His golden time was the 16th century, which historians call the century of the Genoese: wealthy merchants, bankers and fearless sailors.
Sights with photos and descriptions
Here, in this Italian town, everything is possible - a beach holiday, active excursions and long healing walks through beautiful parks and gardens. What to see in Genoa - today we will tell you about the most interesting things, and the photos will help you get an idea of the northern city of Italy. If your time in Genoa is limited and you want to see as much as possible in 1 day, you can look at local attractions on a map on the Internet and create a sightseeing route yourself. And don’t forget to take your camera with you, because when you return home it’s so nice to look at photos from your travels!
Palace of San Giorgio
The Palace of San Giorgio (13th century) is located next to the Old Port, which was very convenient for merchants arriving by sea: this building served as a bank in the 15th century. Before that, it was the seat of the government of the Genoese Republic, and for some time it was a prison (its most famous prisoner was Marco Polo).
Now this elegant building, decorated with ancient frescoes and elegant decor, is occupied by port employees.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
The main cathedral of the city, built in the 12th-17th centuries. This Gothic striped temple (alternating layers of light and dark marble) with the arched design of the entrances, window openings and loggia, and the openwork ornament of the facade, gives a feeling of airiness.
The temple houses the chapel of the city’s heavenly patron, John the Baptist, and his relics are kept. The cathedral is decorated with statues of famous sculptors, the walls are painted with frescoes and paintings by famous artists. There is a museum in the basement. Inside the temple there is a shell that pierced the roof but did not explode - a trace of the Second World War.
Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace (13th-16th centuries), also called the Ducal Palace, was once the residence of the rulers of Genoa and adorns Piazza Matteotti.
The palace unites several buildings, combines different styles, consists of many galleries, courtyards, towers, and is decorated with columns, arcades, and bas-reliefs. At one time there was a prison here, where the genius Genoese, Nicolo Paganini, was a prisoner. Now the palace is a museum.
Church of Jesus
The Church of Jesus (16th century) is dedicated to Saints Andrew and Ambrose.
The temple, unassuming in appearance, amazes with its rich interior and paintings inside, including two paintings by Rubens: “The Circumcision” and “The Miracle of St. Ignatius.”
Note: in the church there is a working organ from the 17th century, made by a famous master of that era.
Ferrari Square
It can be easily found on a map of Genoa with attractions. Ferrari Square is the main square of the city, named after the famous philanthropist, diplomat and financier.
The square is decorated with a large fountain, the jets of which, directed towards the center of the structure, describe an arc and, breaking, form amazing waterfalls around the circumference of the central bowl of the fountain.
The facade of the Doge's Palace overlooks the square. Here are:
- the austere building of the Ligurian administration, where the headquarters of the Italian Shipping Company used to be located;
- the elegant Palazzo della Borsa, which recently housed the first Italian stock exchange, and now hosts exhibitions and conferences;
- Teatro Carlo Felice - the main theater of Genoa, accommodating up to two thousand spectators;
- in front of the theater there is a bronze monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, a hero highly revered by the Genoese; there are always fresh flowers here;
- Museum of the Academy of Ligurian Art with a rich collection of paintings, ceramics, sculptures.
Garibaldi Street
Its construction began in the 15th century and was intended for the richest and most noble people of the city. This is a quarter of the most beautiful palaces. The interior decoration of the buildings is amazing: antique furniture, unique tapestries, paintings and statues. Three palaces (Turzi, Red and White) are open to visitors as museums.
From the terrace of the Red Palace you can look at the city from a different angle. In the Turzi Palace there is the Paganini Hall, where the musician’s belongings are kept, including a violin made in the 18th century, which one participant in the annual festival named after the great Genoese has the honor of playing.
Palazzo Reale
This palace is also called the Royal Palace (17th century), where the richest and most influential people of the city lived for several centuries.
Now there is a museum here, and the decoration of the palace, not inferior in luxury to the residences of royalty from other states, is available for viewing.
Everything here delights: the interior, especially the Throne and Ballrooms, the antique mirrors of the Hall of Mirrors, the unique paintings of the art gallery, the view of the city and the sea from the terrace, the Hanging Garden with exotic plants, where animal figures are lined with two-color pebbles on the paths.
Old port of Genoa (Italy)
Genoese are proud of their countrymen. First of all, Christopher Columbus, whose house was turned into a museum where two dates are celebrated: the birthday of the famous navigator and the discovery of America. The genius born in Genoa is musician, composer, violinist Nicolo Paganini. Our contemporary architect Renzo Piano, who created amazing structures in many cities around the world, modernized the Old Port in his hometown, turning it into a favorite vacation spot for tourists and local residents.
The transformations were made for the international exhibition Expo’92, dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. It was then that the Piano Aquarium, the Biosphere, the panoramic elevator Il Bigo, and the Cultural and Exhibition Center appeared, which harmoniously fit into the picture of the port.
Aquarium
The Genoa Aquarium is located in buildings stylized as ship hulls and connected by a bridge. Its volume is six million liters.
The exhibitions reproduce the route of Columbus: the Ligurian Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea. Here you can observe various inhabitants of the deep sea, rivers, reptiles, and you can pet stingrays and dolphins if you wish.
Biosphere
Next to the Aquarium, attention is drawn to a huge glass ball - the Biosphere botanical garden, in which a corner of the tropical forest is recreated, birds fly, butterflies flutter, fish splash in the stream.
Ile Bigo
The Il Bigo attraction resembles port cranes; the elevator car slowly rotates, allowing you to admire the port, the bay and the city going up to the mountains from a 40-meter height.
Cultural and Exhibition Center
Piano turned the abandoned cotton warehouses into a wonderful Cultural and Exhibition Center, which housed a museum, a congress center, several cinema halls, shops, restaurants, bars, as well as a children's playground.
Maritime Museum Galata
Since 2004, the port has housed the unique Galata Maritime Museum, where you can see models of ships from different eras, including modern ones, get acquainted with ancient navigation maps, instruments, globes, weapons, and learn the history and traditions of seafarers.
Galleon "Neptune"
Among the attractions of the water area, the galleon Neptune is popular - a copy of a 3-masted medieval ship, built for the filming of the film Pirates and moored in the port of Genoa.
Tourists are delighted with the opportunity to explore the ship, look into all the holds and cabins, and examine the bas-reliefs and weapons of the pirates.
Lighthouse La Laterna
You can spend the whole day in the Old Port without noticing the time. From here you can admire the La Laterna lighthouse, built in the 12th century and reconstructed and restored more than once after battles, wars and attacks.
It is important that the lighthouse previously existed due to taxes levied on ships entering the port.
What to see in the vicinity of Genoa
In the 20s of the 20th century, several resort towns became part of Genoa. The suburbs of Genoa contrast with the old city, where narrow streets up to 1.7 meters wide and the famous Via Garibaldi are devoid of greenery, only small islands can be seen in window containers, in courtyards, and in squares.
The suburbs are surrounded by gardens and attract with the aroma of flowers, birdsong, and the proximity of the sea with comfortable and wild beaches. Artists and poets find inspiration here, just as the bells of Genoa inspired Dickens and a painting in the church inspired Flaubert to write novels.
Nervi
Nervi is a suburban resort of Genoa with the Anita Garibaldi promenade leading to a platform from where you can admire the view of picturesque cliffs, the blue sea, almost merging with the blue sky. The villas here are surrounded by greenery, and a park created from several gardens attracts attention.
Many villas have been turned into museums, galleries, libraries: in Gropalo there is now a city library, in Serra - the Gallery of Modern Art, in Grimaldi sculptures of the 19th and 20th centuries are collected, in Gianettino-Luxoro - a museum of decorative arts. In Nervi, tourists flock to music festivals in the summer.
Baccadasse
Near Nervi is the picturesque sailors' village of Baccadasse with the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, where you can see unique creations. In the church you can see small models of ships hanging in niches - the sailors’ gratitude for returning home. The village is memorable for its bright multi-colored houses, narrow streets, overturned fishing boats on the shore, and a line of fishermen casting long fishing rods into the sea.
Church of St. Anthony of Padua
From Edoardo Firpo Square, decorated with original sculptures, there is a stunning view of the sea, Genoa, and surrounding villas. There is an art gallery in the village where you can buy paintings not only by local artists. Bakkadasse is famous for its sea bay with amazing corals and rare fish species. Important: to preserve the unique nature and marine life, the bay is placed under state protection.
Pegli
Another suburb of Genoa, Pegli, which has long been known as a favorite vacation spot for the aristocracy, even today attracts the elite: famous actors, musicians, and politicians. Luxurious villas still adorn the coast, two are given over to museums. The National Archaeological Site is located in the Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, built in the 17th century.
The beautiful building is located in a large park with amazing corners, numerous statues and a variety of fountains. The museum has many artifacts from different eras, a unique collection of antique vases.
Another villa, Centurione Doria (16th century), houses the exhibition of the Maritime Museum; you can study the history of navigation from numerous exhibits. Genoa of the 15th century can be seen in an amazing painting by the artist Christopher Grassi.
Genoa in one day - mini-program
If you only have one day to explore the city, then it is best to spend it in the old town, where the most beautiful sights of Genoa are concentrated.
This part of the city is a pedestrian zone, but all the architectural monuments are located close to each other, which allows tourists to see many of them in one day:
- Palace of San Giorgio;
- Cathedral of San Lorenzo;
- Doge's Palace;
- Church of Jesus;
- Ferrari Square;
- street Garibaldi;
- Palazzo Reale - Royal Palace.
After visiting the Royal Palace, you should go down to the Old Port and spend the evening in one of the many cafes - open or with panoramic windows - to admire the sunset over the bay and the mesmerizing lights of the night port, reflected in long multi-colored stripes on the water.
The city, which, according to the apt saying, “has always lived standing,” does not immediately reveal its secrets, because centuries, people’s destinies, legends and true events, past and present are intertwined in them.
I want to return here to discover other corners, to look at Genoa from above, taking the funicular to one of the observation platforms. Explore the remains of an ancient fortress, preserved in different places of the city, walk along the narrow (very narrow) streets of the old city, where ancient stucco moldings or frescoes, or fancy decor appear through the later layers on the facades of houses.
Watch the video, which offers a description of an interesting route around Genoa in one day:
The Italian city of Genoa attracts a large number of tourists every year, which is no coincidence, because this province really has something to see. Genoa is located in the Liguria region, on the beautiful shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Researchers in Italy say that this city is very contradictory: it is simultaneously turned towards the sea and toward itself, that is, inward. Therefore, we have prepared an article about what to see in Genoa and its surroundings in 1 day.
You can get to Genoa by plane, train, ship or car, depending on where the traveler is departing from. When traveling along the Italian coast, it is definitely worth a look at Genoa; not a single tourist will remain indifferent to the museums, parks, castles, palaces and other attractions of the province.
When you visit Genoa, you cannot ignore the sights or attractions. After all, they are also part of the history of Italy.
The name of the old main street in the city. Located in the heart of Genoa. The street's fame is given by a number of palaces of the aristocracy of past centuries. They not only decorate the street, but also tell passersby about their owners. In 1550, when the street first appeared, it was called Strada Maggiore. After some time, the name changed to Strada Nuovo, and only in 1882 did the name appear, which has survived to this day. The name was given in honor of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a folk hero of Italy.
The length of the street is only 250 meters and the width is about 7.5 meters. The street was built according to all the canons of past centuries: not wide, paved, not long, strewn with ancient buildings and shops. Located near Ferrari Square. About 10 years ago the street was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The street is open to the public 24 hours a day.
“Red Palace” - this is the name of the ancient castle on Via Garibaldi street translated into Russian. Today, behind the walls lies an interesting museum, which appeared thanks to its owner, who donated it to the city along with all the works of art that were in it. Particularly noteworthy are the paintings depicting the Brignole family, created by Van Dyck. The museum also displays paintings by other artists: Guido Reni, Veronese, Durer. But not only they are valuable, but also the walls of the building themselves, decorated with frescoes and stucco.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
The temple is not only the grandest in the city of Genoa, but also the see of the archbishop. Construction began from the 12th century. The final design was completed by the 16th century, when the columns of the building's facade were completed. The Cathedral of San Lorenzo was built in honor of Saint Lawrence. From the outside, the building looks asymmetrical; for example, the towers, which are located on both sides of the entrance and were originally intended to be the same, end up having different structures and heights. As for the interior decoration, there are a lot of columns in the halls of the cathedral that separate the naves. It is noteworthy that a bomb can be seen in the right nave of the temple. It arrived here in 1941 during the Second World War, but did not explode.
The location of the temple is very convenient for tourists, as it is both close to Ferrari Square and some prestigious hotels.
Palace address: Italy, 16123 Genoa, Piazza San Lorenzo
Operating mode: daily 8:00 - 12:00 and 15:00 - 19:00.
Telephone: +39010265786
Palazzi dei Rolli
This is an array that consists of several beautiful palaces, and the name translates as “Palaces from the List”. All these majestic buildings belonged exclusively to the aristocrat of Genoa in the 16th century. The palazzo is located on the two most important streets of the province - Via Garibaldi and Via Balbi. The architect and ideological father of this development is Galeazzo Alesi.
The development, called Palazzi dei Rolli, includes at least forty palaces located in a small area. Due to the cramped conditions, the owners built on their homes and the buildings rushed upward.
For tourists, such proximity is just a benefit, because you can get around so many amazing buildings without spending too much time and effort.
Address: Italy, Genoa, Via Garibaldi, 9.
Operating mode: Visits to some palaces may sometimes be closed, all others work on an individual schedule, closing at 19:00.
Aquarium of Genoa
It is the largest aquarium in all of Italy, as well as the second largest in Europe. Its area is 3100 square meters, and the annual attendance is almost 1.5 million people. Consists of 70 water tanks holding 6,000,000 liters of water. Thus, the area available to visitors is 10,000 square meters.
The aquarium is considered one of the “modern” attractions of the province. The reason for the construction of such a grandiose project was the Genoa Expo exhibition, held in 1992.
The building of the structure resembles a ship and was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The Aquarium of Genoa attracts new visitors every day who can appreciate the scale of the project.
Address: Italy, Genoa, Old Port, Ponte Spinola.
Operating mode: daily 9:00 - 18:00.
Telephone: +3901023451
Price visits: 19 euros.
This cemetery is also one of the main attractions of Genoa. Staglieno is one of the most famous monumental cemeteries in the world and is widely known for its majestic marble tombstones, designed by famous architects such as Varney and Monteverde. The cemetery has a capacity of sixty thousand graves.
The landmark is located outside the city walls, but almost on the border of the city itself, on a hillside with an area of one square kilometer. Staglieno owes its location to Napoleon’s decree on moving such “places” outside the city.
In addition, in addition to its aesthetics, the cemetery attracts tourists because you can find the graves of prominent Italian figures: Fabrizio De Andre, Michele Novaro, Giuseppe Mazzini, Fyodor Poletaev.
Address: Italy, Genoa, Piazzale Resasco.
Operating mode: daily 7:30 - 16:30.
Telephone: +39010870184
Cost of visit: 5 euros.
The opera house is located in the very heart of the province - on Ferrari Square. The Carlo Felice Theater is a unique symbol of Genoa; in front of its entrance there is a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, because he was a frequent guest within the walls of the beautiful and majestic theater.
In 1824, a decision was made to build a new theater that would meet all modern requirements. In this regard, a competition for the best project was announced. Thus, Carlo Barbarino became the architect. Over the years, the building was constantly renovated, but during World War II it was somewhat destroyed. Later, a project to restore the theater was launched.
The name was given in honor of Carlo Felice of Savoy, the ruler of Genoa at that time. The capacity is two thousand seats, which is very impressive for all tourists, just like the rich interior decoration of the theater.
Address: Italy, Genoa, Passo Eugenio Montale, 4.
Telephone: +3901053811
Cost of visit me: tickets for each performance have a different price, it is better to check by phone or on the website.
There are many interesting places in Italy, but Genoa is the most amazing and unusual. Located on the seashore, the small town contains a lot of beautiful places and significant attractions of both past centuries and the present.
I should have written this post a long time ago. And all because for the umpteenth time I am asked what can be seen in Genoa, what to try, what is interesting, how to get there, etc.... I have already answered these questions many times, but now I decided to put it all together. Surely it might be useful to someone else.
So, Genoa (in Italian Genova) is a fairly large (sixth largest) and ancient city on the Ligurian coast. Of course, Genoa looks much more modest than the deservedly beloved Rome, Florence and Venice, but it is still worth visiting as part of a trip to Italy, even if not for the beauty of the Riviera or the special local cuisine, but to take a break from the bustle of large tourist centers.
Genoa in one day.
One day is enough to explore the historical center of Genoa, but I would recommend staying a little longer. Because in addition to the city itself, it is very interesting to see the picturesque rocky coast and equally picturesque fishing villages nearby. I would budget 2-3 days of travel for Genoa and its surroundings, and definitely three in the summer - since swimming here is a great pleasure.
Ferrari Square, view of the Carlo Felice Theater
You can start from the old port ( Porto Antico), then move up Via San Lorenzo where the most beautiful local Cathedral of St. Lorenzo is located, then to the square De Ferrari, then down the street on September 20th ( via XX Settembre) - where there is a huge number of coffee shops and shops - this is, perhaps, the central shopping street in Genoa. This street eventually leads to the Brignole railway station, and although the station building is the mansion of a wealthy Genoese family, judging by Dickens's comments, it is not particularly impressive, so I recommend turning immediately right into Piazza Vittoria where there is a beautiful triumphal arch. Having passed through the square, to a hill with flower beds where flowers are planted in the shape of three caravels (the same ones on which Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, set off on his trip around the world). You can go up the steps, from where you can see a beautiful view of Genoa, and then, enjoying the “three-dimensional” city (as I call it, when walking down the street you can simultaneously see the first floors on one side and the roofs of buildings on the other), we go down again to the historical center of the city, where the inconspicuous house of Columbus (casa Colombo) and the gates of the old city are located. Then we again find ourselves in Piazza Ferrari with a magnificent fountain, but now we take the street of Rome (via Roma) to the most beautiful street Garibaldi (via Garibaldi). Here are the luxurious palaces of the Genoese nobility. Some of them are now museums, and if you have time and desire, you can go inside to admire the frescoes and interiors of the 17-18 centuries. Via Garibaldi leads us to Piazza Nunziata, where there is another beautiful cathedral, and further to Via Balbi, where today several buildings of the University of Genoa are located. Some of these buildings, like those on the previous street, were palaces, the main one of which is the royal palace - Palazzo Reale. This is, of course, the most luxurious of all the palaces; in addition to the interiors, it has a collection of paintings and sculptures. At the end of Via Balbi is the second largest station in Genoa - Principe. The station building is also the mansion of the wealthy family of the same name. In front of the building, it is impossible to miss the monument dedicated to Columbus.
Beginning of 20th September Street
And now point by point.
The Old Port (Porto Antico) is a fairly popular promenade. In the port there is the Aquarium (Acquario di Genova) - a rather large and interesting museum where you can see not only various fish and jellyfish, but also dolphins, penguins and other marine life. To avoid standing in line, it is better to book your ticket in advance online. There are quite a lot of visitors there on weekends. The port itself is a beautiful place for a walk, here you can sit on a bench and try delicious Italian ice cream, which they call gelato(gelatto). In the port there is an old wooden ship, built according to medieval sketches especially for Roman Polanski's film Pirates. You can also view the ship from the inside for a small fee. In addition, the port houses a large sea museum (Galata Museo del Mare). From the port you can clearly see the whole city and the old lighthouse.
Porto Antico (Old Port)
view from the port to the old lighthouse at sunset
Having completed the inspection of the port, we will go to the beginning of San Lorenzo Street. Don't miss the large frescoed building - the Palace of Saint George, built in the 13th century, or the Bank of San Giorgio. It began operating as a commercial bank already in 1407, which is why it is rightly called one of the oldest banks in the world. The bank was led by four consuls, according to the old Italian tradition, who were closely related to wealthy local aristocrats. Therefore, the San Giorgio Bank sponsored many Genoese colonies at that time and even had its own branch in Cafe (and this is no less than modern Crimea). But the bank can boast not only of geography but also of its famous clients, among whom were not only Emperor Charles V, but also the much more famous Christopher Columbus these days. Unfortunately, during the Napoleonic occupation in 1805, the bank was closed. However, grateful descendants revived the bank with the same name in 1987, and you will easily notice offices and ATMs with the historically charged name Banco di San Giorgio S.p.A.
St. George's Bank building
After going around the bank we find ourselves on San Lorenzo Street. It is surprisingly wide compared to the typical dark and narrow streets of the old town that cross it. If you are not in a hurry, you can turn left into Vico San Pietro della Porta (small streets have their own designation in Italy, while ordinary streets have the prefix Via, then small streets are supplemented with the word Vico. In Genoa there is also a special type of “streets” that called solita - these are essentially staircase streets that lead from the lower to the upper part of the city, and often consist of several thousand steps). But we digress... At the very beginning of the street on the corner there is a pretty good focacceria, where you can taste a variety of Genoese focaccia and even drink hot tea, which is rare, since tea is not the most favorite Italian drink. If we move forward fearlessly, we will soon come to the Square of the Banks or Piazza Banchi. Built in the 14th century, this square was a center of trade and coin exchange. It is from the Italian money changers that the modern word “bank” originates. banco is translated from Italian as bench or table, namely a table in the form of a stand or counter. At such tables, covered with green cloth, the Genoese money changers earned their capital. Here is a refutation of the stereotype that all bankers are certainly Jews, and although the latter also tried to keep up, the palm in this special art still goes to the Italians. On the square there is a rather unusual church, Chiesa di San Pietro in Banchi. The unusualness is visible to the naked eye; the fact is that the building of the church, built in the mid-16th century, was built above the market. That is, the first floor is still occupied by shopping arcades, and on their roof rests calmly and solemnly a church. I think you have already guessed the reasons for such architectural resourcefulness... Naturally, in such a popular trading place, the land was, in the literal sense of the word, worth its weight in gold, so religion had to make room in this case.
Chiesa di San Pietro in Banchi
If you are not afraid of getting lost in the labyrinth of old streets, you can try to go from Banks Square straight to the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, otherwise you can return the same way to the street of the same name.
So the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo. It cannot be missed or unnoticed. It is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Genoa. It combines the typical Gothic style with the typical Genoese black and white stripes, which adds to its originality. In general, striping is an Italian Gothic style, but the colors of this striping depend on the place... Not far from Genoa there is the village of Lavagnia, where wonderful slate is mined (yes, yes, oddly enough, this is a type of slate rock). White marble quarries are located nearby. That is why so much slate and marble were used in the decoration of Genoa. Those who travel from Pisa to Genoa by train (or vice versa) will be able to see these marble sections from the windows.
one of the streets in the historical center (not far from Ferrari Square)
From our point of view, we can safely say that there has always been a church on this square, because... excavations discovered the remains of an ancient church from the 5th - 6th centuries AD. But today's cathedral began construction in 1110, and was consecrated in 1118. The money for the construction was earned (so to speak) by the Genoese fleets in the Crusades. What we see now is the result of centuries of construction. The original building was badly damaged in a fire in 1296, after which the cathedral was partially restored and partially rebuilt. The main facade was made between 1307 and 1312, the internal colonnades were restored and galleries were added. The Romanesque decoration is quite well preserved, but frescoes on religious themes have been added to it. Various altars and chapels were erected between the 14th and 15th centuries. The small balcony on the northeast tower of the façade was built in 1455. It was only in the 17th century that construction was completed. Inside you can admire beautiful frescoes and paintings. But the most interesting exhibit is located to the right of the entrance - this is a shell from the Second World War. Because on February 9, 1941, British ships bombed Genoa, and one of the shells broke through the roof of the cathedral and fell down, but fortunately did not explode. Local religious people claim that this is a sign from above, and additional proof of the sanctity of the cathedral. However, skeptics know that in those days the quality of the shells was very low and more than 30% of them did not explode at all. Another such unexploded shell slightly damaged the fresco on the ceiling of the palace on Balbi Street... So this was clearly not an isolated case of a “miracle”.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
Having taken plenty of photographs with the sad marble lions, we continue our way up San Lorenzo Street. Before us is another beautiful cathedral, this time yellow and in the Baroque style. This is the Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea built between 1552 and 1598. Inside you can admire the works of Rubens and Guido Reni.
Turning left right in front of the church, we find ourselves in Piazza De Ferrari. This is the most famous and most beautiful square in the city. Locals love to have dates here, or just sit in the evening by the fountain or on the stairs with friends.
To the west of the fountain is Palazzo Ducale or the local Doge's Palace (Doge is the title of the head of state in the Italian maritime republics). Inside there are cafes and exhibition halls, as well as a kiosk with information for tourists, where you can get maps, booklets and other useful things for free.
To the north of the fountain is the Teatro Carlo Felice - a beautiful building with large columns. Right behind them (behind the columns, that is) begins a beautiful gallery with expensive boutiques and cafes. But let's return to the square. The theater, unfortunately, was badly damaged during the Second World War and was rebuilt. And while the exterior of the façade has been preserved, the inside of the theater is decorated quite modernly and very original. The walls of the main hall look like houses with windows and balconies, so you get the impression that you are in an open-air city square. In the theater you can listen to Italian opera. If you buy a ticket an hour before the start of the performance, the first 30 lucky winners receive a 30% discount. Thus, you can get to the opera for 10-20 euros.
In front of the theater building there is a beautiful bronze monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi. Garibaldi is one of the most popular Italian heroes; he dedicated his life to the struggle for the liberation of Italy from Austrian oppression and the unification of the country into a republic. I highly recommend reading his biography; Giuseppe’s life was more fascinating than the plots of most adventure films.
To the east of the fountain is the beautiful building Palazzo Della Borsa, which originally belonged to the local stock exchange. This relatively new building was built at the beginning of the 20th century.
Ferrari Square. The building on the left is Palazzo Della Borsa
To the left of the exchange building, one of the busiest city streets begins - Via XX Settembre. This is a great place for walking and shopping, the street is simply overflowing with shops, shops and small cafes. But while looking at the windows, don’t forget to look up to admire the facades of the houses. Approximately half of the street, or rather its pedestrian part, is carefully “covered” by galleries. At the beginning of the black and white striped gallery (on the left side if you go from Piazza Ferrari) there is a little noticeable staircase that comes to the roof of the gallery to the beautiful church of Chiesa di Santo Stefano in the Romanesque style, built in the 10th - 17th centuries. From here you have a picturesque view of XX Settembre Street.
Having reached the end of the street, we find ourselves in the large Victory Square or Piazza Della Vittoria. The square is impossible to miss. because it is decorated with a luxurious triumphal arch. Despite its ancient appearance, the arch was built at the beginning of the 20th century, in memory of the Genoese who died during the First World War. The grand opening took place on May 31, 1931. Right behind the arch, a hill begins with elegant flower beds, where flowers are planted in the shape of three caravels - the same ones on which (you guessed it) Christopher Columbus set off on his trip around the world.
On both sides of the flower beds there are stairs that lead us to Mura di Santa Chiara street. From here you have a magnificent view of the city. It is difficult to get lost in Genoa, because... going down in any case you get to the sea.. But in this section it is better to check the map and street names so as not to miss a very interesting and beautiful place - the gates of the old town of Porta Soprana.
Columbus House, behind one of the towers of the old Porta Soprana gate.
Genoa, like many medieval cities, was previously surrounded by a protective wall. As the city grew, so did the boundaries of the walls. The first walls were built back in the 9th century. And what we see is a section of the walls of Barbarossa, which were erected in 1155. Land entrances to the city were carried out through monumental gates of which there were three - Porta Soprana ) that in front of us is Porta dei Vacca ( Porta dei Vacca ), which are located a stone's throw from the Darsena metro station (Darsena, map). Golden Gate ( Porta Aurea ), alas, did not survive to this day. The walls were subsequently expanded several times in the 14th, 16th and most recently in the 17th centuries (more information). It is interesting that the last modification, which was called Mura Nuove ( Mura Nuove) or New Wall, reached a length of 19.5 kilometers and surrounded an area equal to 903 hectares! Moreover, the New Wall extended far beyond the city, and surrounded it along a mountain ridge, on the main peaks of which there were fortifications and fortresses. Parts of this wall, as well as the fortress, are well preserved (more about them below in point 5 of walks around Genoa).
Interesting fact, the name of the gate Porta dei Vacca - translated as “cow gate” and for good reason... Previously, this gate was also used for cattle, since in those days one of the streets Via di Pre was a concentration of butcher shops. In recent centuries the situation has changed. And after the Second World War, this street began to bear the title of the most dangerous and criminal in the city. I wouldn’t say that the street is really that dangerous to this day, but I wouldn’t recommend walking along it in the evening.
A little down from the gate there is an inconspicuous house - Columbus's house. In fact, the exact place of birth of Christopher is still unknown, but the residents of Genoa believe that it was in this house that the great navigator was born. The original building, to our great regret, was destroyed in 1684, during the shelling of the city by French troops. What we see now is a reconstruction of the 17th-18th centuries. In any case, the view of the house, together with the gate, a section of the old city wall and the garden, allows us to imagine the appearance of Genoa at that time. Today the house is the Columbus Museum, where objects and reproductions related to the life of the traveler are collected.
Entrance costs €5 for adults and €3 for children from 4-10 years old. Open on weekends and holidays from 10 to 18.
Not far from the gate there is a good restaurant serving local cuisine - Due Torri, translated as Two Towers, it’s not difficult to guess why. A little down via Di Porta Soprana, there is a bar with an incredibly hefty drink list... It's called Cafè il Barbarossa and it's easy to find by the sculpture of Elvis Presley humming something at the entrance. Those interested in nightlife can be advised to check out piazza Delle Erbe - this is literally a concentration of bars and restaurants, and the heart of the city's nightlife. There is an interesting vintage bar on the square that was once a bookstore. The owners have preserved the interior and even the bookshelves with a large number of books, some of which are almost a hundred years old... The bar is easy to spot because it is called, naturally, La Libreria delle Erbe.
We are done with this part of the city, we return to Ferrari Square. Only now we will go from the square down Via Roma to Fontane Marose Square, and then turn onto Via Garibaldi. This street is a must see in Genoa and it is rightfully considered the most beautiful in the city. This is not surprising, because most of the palaces of the local aristocracy are located here. The street appeared around 1550, and at that time it was called Strada Maggiore or Strada Nuova (New Street). In 1882 it was renamed in honor of Giuseppe Garibaldi. In 2006, Via Garibaldi was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The history of the street is very interesting, so I will tell you more about it. The idea of creating the street belongs to local Genoese aristocrats, in the 16th century at the height of the Genoese Republic. Rich families not only wanted to move closer to the sea from the hills, where aristocrats traditionally settled until the 16th century. They really wanted to amaze any visitor with the beauty and grandeur. At that time, in Genoa, a city that at that time was no less than one and a half thousand years old (!), there simply did not exist a single straight and wide street. This is not surprising, houses near the port were built quite chaotically for centuries, moreover, the narrow streets were also of a defensive nature - it was simply physically impossible for a large detachment to pass through them. But from the point of view of beauty, all these streets could not surprise and enchant travelers of those times. And so the local aristocrats united and decided to build their palaces along a straight and wide street in order to once again emphasize and show their greatness, so that foreigners would have somewhere to drive their carriages and where to admire the exquisite architecture. This is how a street with eleven palaces appeared in Genoa. Of course, there was no completely flat place for such a street in Genoa, so the builders had to destroy part of the hill. This effort was not in vain; due to the cutting of the rock, the palaces standing on the right side, if you move down from Marose Square, received terrace gardens, and not hanging gardens, but completely real gardens, which could be accessed directly from the second floor. In this case, small streams were used to create grotto fountains. One of these “fountains” is in the background below. Don't be confused by the composition in front of it - this is a temporary installation of contemporary art.
A separate post would not be enough to describe the palaces. So I'll say it briefly. Only three of them are open as museums - Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi. You can buy a ticket at the box office right on the street; if you can’t find it, ask at any of the museums. Unfortunately, many pieces of furniture did not survive the Second World War, not so much from shells, but from resale. But nevertheless, some pieces of furniture. as well as a good collection of paintings have been preserved. Although I would say the main advantage of all the palaces is the ceiling frescoes. But fans of Paganini are simply obliged to visit Palazzo Bianco, where the maestro’s personal belongings, including the violin, are kept. The thing is that Paganini was a native of Genoa.
Palazzo Rosso (view from the Portello elevator terrace)
For those who don’t have time for museums, I advise you to just look into all the courtyards, and even the entrances of the palaces along Garibaldi Street. Alas, not all are open, but absolutely all of them are decorated with beautiful frescoes of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Twice a year, the so-called Rolli Days Genova are held in Genoa; the dates change, so it’s best to find out more accurately via Google. These days, absolutely all the palaces and buildings of the Genoese rich, which are usually closed to the public (since they contain residential apartments or offices. Yes, imagine, offices with amazing frescoes, sculptures, fireplaces...) will be open completely free of charge. Moreover, local university students conduct short excursions for those interested in Russian or Italian, also, of course, completely free of charge.
From Via Garibaldi you can go through the tiny narrow street Via del Portello to the Portello elevator. This elevator belongs to public transport and you will need a ticket for it. This elevator takes you to a small park with stunning views of the city. From here you can see the Palazzo Rosso (see photo above), the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo and many other attractions of the city. Nearby is one of the best gelaterias in the city (ice cream shop) called Don Paolo ( Don Paolo), the owners of the shop are true Sicilians and know a lot about making not only traditional ice cream, but also granita (a refreshing drink made from ice, ice cream and secret ingredients), as well as other traditional southern Italian sweets.
View of the upper terrace of the Portello elevator.
However, the most beautiful palace in Genoa is the Royal Palace, which is located on Via Balbi...
Fresco in one of the palaces
From Garibaldi Street, through Nunziata Square, we reach Balbi Street (see map). This street is not as beautiful as Garibaldi, but it is also interesting. Several buildings of the University of Genoa are located here, as well as the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale).
Balbi street
The courtyard at the entrance to the palace is a small garden that you can enter completely free of charge. The terrace offers a beautiful view of the old port. The palace itself has preserved its interiors and, of course, its frescoes. The building itself was built by the noble Balbi family (the street is named after this family) at the beginning of the 17th century. It was later sold to the Durazzo family and slightly transformed. And even later it became the official residence of the Genoese Dodges.
Having followed the route described above, we examined the main beautiful places of Genoa, but in addition to the historical center itself, it is very interesting to see the coast of the Italian Riviera itself, as well as the picturesque fishing villages. Read more.
Local cuisine or what to try in Genoa.
Focaccia is a local Genoese flatbread, traditionally made from salted dough and baked in olive oil. In addition to this classic recipe, there are a huge variety of focaccia with various ingredients that are placed on top of the flatbread itself. This could be onions, cheese, olives or prosciutto. You can try all this at any of the local bakeries, which are called Focacceria here.
Famous Genoese focaccia
Green pesto sauce (pesto) based on basil, parmesan and pine nuts is world famous. Several types of pasta are prepared with this sauce, such as tagliatelle, troffi or Italian dumplings - gnocchi. The best sauce, according to local residents, is the sauce made from basil from the slopes of the mountain in the town of Pra. A jar of this sauce is a great souvenir.
In Porto Antico there is a large supermarket of traditional Italian food from producers. The store is called Eataly (located on the second floor of a building in Porto Antico). There you can buy very good wine, cheeses, pastas or sauces, as well as some local sweets.
Another equally famous local sauce is salsa di noci. Sauce made from ground walnuts. In Liguria, it is served with a local variety of dumplings with spinach and ricotta, called pansoti. Pansotti can be of completely different shapes, both in the form of ravioli, and in the familiar form of dumplings, or even triangles.
Since Genoa is a city by the sea. Among the second courses, fish and seafood are very popular. For example, fish in Ligurian style is usually sea bream (orata) or sea bass (branzino) baked in foil with olive oil, olives, seasonings and pine nuts. Among the special fish dishes, one can highlight stoccafisso - this is dried salted fish stewed with tomatoes and potatoes.
Among sweets, Pandolce is popular - a hard pie, more like a cupcake, to which a large number of raisins, candied fruits and sometimes seasonings are added. This pie is usually sold by weight and can be found in any pastry shop. However, the most famous pastry shop in Genoa (according to locals) is Pasticceria Tagliafico. link to their website where you can see what pandolce looks like and find out the address.
How to get to Genoa.
From the main Italian cities such as Turin, Rome, Pisa or Milan, high-speed trains and electric trains run to Genoa. You can find out the schedule and buy tickets here.
But it is much more interesting to fly to Genoa by plane, the whole point is that the landing strip of Christopher Columbus Airport is located directly on the sea. Moreover, when landing, the plane flies over the entire city and a very beautiful view opens from the windows, and the landscape will be different day and night, but equally amazing.
Urban transport.
The center of Genoa is very small, so transport is generally not necessary. However, to get to castles or fortresses you will need tickets. Tickets in Genoa are the same for all types of transport. They can be bought at any tobacco kiosk. The ticket must be punched either in a composter directly on the bus, or at the entrance to the metro, elevator or funicular. One ticket costs 1.5 euros and is valid for all types of transport for 100 minutes. An elevator ticket to Captain Albertis Castle costs 90 cents and is valid for only 1 ride on any of the elevators in Genoa.
Type of ticket for 100 minutes.
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For 1.6 euros you can buy a ticket that includes not only all types of transport, but also electric trains in the urban area (picture below). You can find out that a station is still in an urban area by its name; in this case, the name will always begin with the word Genova.
There are also discounts. So a ticket for 24 hours will cost 4.5 euros. A ticket for 4 people for 24 hours costs 9 euros.
Accommodation.
It is most convenient to live in the city center, in which case it will be easy to walk everywhere. Many inexpensive hotels are located along Balbi Street; they are especially convenient due to their proximity to the train station. If you book in advance, you can find many convenient options through any of the booking sites.
The most affordable option is a hostel from the famous European hostel chain - Youth Hostel. Accommodation will cost 15 euros per bed. The only problem is this hostel is located high on a hill, which is a big plus for the view and terrace of this hostel, but not very convenient to get to. Bus 40 or 39 (after 9pm 640) does not run very often and takes approximately 25 minutes from Piazza Nunziata or 30-35 minutes from Piazza Ferrari.
Stadium Luigi Ferraris, also called "Marassi", is located in the city of Genoa, Italy. Since it is multifunctional, it constantly hosts football and rugby competitions, as well as music concerts of famous performers.
The stadium was opened in 1911. This is one of the oldest stadiums in Italy, still used to host various types of competitions. It has undergone many reconstructions. Its original capacity was 20 thousand people, and now it is more than 36 thousand. The stadium has a square shape with right angles and a large flat roof.
The stadium is the home arena of Italian Serie A clubs Genoa and Sampdoria, and sometimes hosts matches involving the Italian national team. The stadium hosted international World Cup matches in 1934 and 1990.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo is the Cathedral of the Genoese diocese, dedicated to St. Lawrence. The temple is located near the Ducal Palace and Plaza de Ferrari. The cathedral is famous for its legend that in its place there was once a temple, the founder of which in the 3rd century. was St. Lavrenty.
The architecture of the cathedral is characterized by its asymmetry. On the sides of the facade there are two very different tower structures. Initially, the project was supposed to be symmetrical, but one of the towers was never completed and at its top in the 15th century. a gallery was erected. The right bell tower was built in the Renaissance style and has seven bells. The façade is decorated with three portals, the work of French masters. Stone lions are installed on the sides of the temple stairs.
The interior of the cathedral is notable for its 13th-century columns, as well as frescoes by an unknown Byzantine master of the 14th century. In the chapel you can see statues of prominent Italian masters of the 15th-16th centuries.
The main attractions of the cathedral are, of course, the cup, which, according to legend, was on the table during the Last Supper, and the relics of St. John the Baptist, brought from the crusade in 1098.
What sights of Genoa did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
Spaghetti Museum Pontedassio
A spaghetti museum was opened in the city of Pontedassi, Italy. There are many recipes for spaghetti and sauces for it. The museum has a notarized document dated February 4, 1279, confirming that such a dish has existed for a long time and was called “macaroni”. This means that pasta has been around for over 300 years.
The Spaghetti Museum displays more than 176 types of spaghetti. According to Italians, spaghetti is pasta with a length of strictly 35-40 cm and a cross-section of 0.7-0.9 mm. Everything else is called differently. Of course, the sauce plays a big role in cooking spaghetti. The museum has more than 10 thousand sauce recipes. Italians place great importance on seasoning their spaghetti. And in restaurants, professionals who prepare the sauce well are highly valued. There are different types of sauces throughout Italy. In areas closer to the sea, marine life is used. In the center are the gifts of the forest and nature. And somewhere they use minced meat.
In addition to recipes for sauces and spaghetti, and the pasta itself, in the museum you can see photographs, equipment for making spaghetti and documents talking about the history and origin of spaghetti.
The old seaport of Genoa is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. It was built according to the design of the world famous Genoese architect Renzo Piano.
It is in the Old Port that Europe's largest city aquarium is located, with the largest number of aquatic ecosystems represented.
Near the aquarium are the Lanterna lighthouse, a botanical garden, a replica of a 16th century ship and the Galata Maritime Museum. It is the first maritime museum in the Mediterranean and displays the entire history of navigation from rowing boats to transatlantic ships.
While in the Old Port, you should definitely take a ride on the Bigo observation lift, which offers amazing views of the harbor and the panorama of the Old Town.
Camogli promenade
In the fishing town of Camogli, literally every meter is imbued with the spirit of the early Middle Ages.
Traditional colorful houses with pink, yellow and red walls surround the picturesque harbor where pleasure yachts and fishing boats anchor. The ancient church and castle, Castello della Dragonara, founded in 1000, dominates the harbor. It now houses a maritime museum and an aquarium displaying local fish species.
But the truly beautiful view of Camogli opens from the embankment. You can go down to it from the highest point of the city in just a few minutes. From here the city resembles a large children's toy made up of small cubes. Only the cubes are not bright, but painted in pastel colors.
From the embankment the city looks very small and it seems strange that you have been walking along its streets all day.
Via Rome
Via Rome is a pedestrian street lined with rows of planted trees. Located almost in the city center.
This cozy street with beautiful trees, unique buildings, small cafes and playing musicians has always attracted a huge number of people. This is where tourists come to admire the Baroque architecture, dine in traditional restaurants and buy souvenirs.
Near Via Roma you will find clothing and shoe stores, including designer ones, as well as small shops selling olives, oils and wines.
In the evening, Via Roma turns into a busy street with bright neon shop windows and dozens of different pubs, bars and clubs.
Genoa Airport GOA
Since Genoa is a relatively small city, the airport receives approximately 1 million passengers per year. There are several hotels nearby, the closest of which is the Sheraton Genova Hotel, less than a kilometer from the airport. The level of convenience and service here is high, but for those who are bothered by the noise of planes taking off, hotels such as Hotel Cairoli or Agriturismo Le Pale, which are quite far from the landing strip, are more suitable. You can get to the center either by taxi or by bus. Alternatively, you can use a car rental service. Questions about booking a car can be agreed upon by first contacting the airport administration.
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Columbus House
The home of Christopher Columbus, where he was born and spent his youth, is located in Genoa and is a popular attraction that attracts thousands of tourists. The house is located next to the famous Porta Soprano gate.
Columbus was born in this house in 1451, but the original appearance of the house was lost during the bombardment of the city by the French fleet in 1864. But in the 18th century, the building was restored to its original form and is now one of the symbols of the city and a monument of medieval architecture.
The most popular attractions in Genoa with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Genoa on our website.
More attractions of Genoa
Note that it is best to travel to the opening of Genoa in a personal car. For travelers, the option is available to rent a car. By ordering a car in advance, while still at home, you can save a lot. “Italy in Russian” advises you to turn to the services of the popular giant service Rentalcars, multifunctional and simple, which will allow you to choose the most suitable car at home and receive it immediately upon arrival in Genoa or one of the airports in Italy.
For those who are accustomed to convenience, we recommend ordering a taxi in Genoa with a Russian-speaking driver. You can select and order a taxi through the convenient Kiwitaxi service: You just need to choose where and where you need to get to. Here you can order a transfer from any airport in Italy. At the specified time, in the specified place, your personal driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name.
You can move around the city from distant attractions comfortably by metro. There is 1 metro line in Genoa. In addition there are buses, trolleybuses and ski lifts. A ticket for one trip costs approximately 1.5 euros. However, if you want to use public transport a lot throughout the day, purchase a 24-hour ticket (Genovapass) for 4.5 euros. A lift ticket costs 0.8 euros.
What is a must-try in Genoa?
A simple but skillful mixing of ingredients creates an extraordinary taste that fills the dish, to which aromatic herbs and olive oil are always added. Try pasta with the region's most famous sauce, pesto. It contains basil, pine nuts, garlic basil and parmesan. Or you can order one of the types of ravioli - pansotti stuffed with herbs and vegetables. The dish is usually served with walnut sauce. For the main dish, choose fish rather than meat. The leading role here is the anchovy, which is served stuffed, fresh, and fried. If you are a lover of baked goods, be sure to try the Genoese flatbread - focaccia, which will go well with white wine. It can be either sweet or with various sauces, vegetables and simply aromatic herbs.
Pasta with pesto sauce. Photo: ideericette.it
Sights of Genoa
The historical center is considered to be the area inside the fortress walls of the 14th century. The fortress walls and forts of Genoa recreate the image of impregnability. At the end of the last century, the Natural Park of the Walls (Parco delle Mura) was opened within the New Walls. Now over 900 species of plants are grown there! The main square of Genoa is Piazza de Ferrari with the nearby Cathedral of St. Lawrence. In addition to this area, tourists also like to stroll through the seaside quarter of Boccadasse, which is located 4.5 km from the main square.
You can start your visit to the city from the central Piazza de Ferrari, which can rightfully be considered the epicenter of city life. Previously, this place was the site of a small square of San Domenico with the oldest and rich church of the same name. However, in 1815 it was decided to build a modern center here. So the temple was demolished, new streets and a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi appeared. In 1887, the square received the name of Duke Raffaele de Ferrari. If you look around, the elegant Rue Roma goes to the northeast, and to the southeast, Via XX Settembre leads you to the Church of St. Stephen.
Piazza de Ferrari. Photo: flicr.com
Be sure to visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, which is located a 2-minute walk from the main square and the Ducal Palace. According to legend, in the 3rd century BC. Pope Sixtus II and St. Lawrence stayed on the site where the temple is now located. After their death, first a chapel was built here, and later a church. Archaeological excavations have shown that there really is a cemetery of early Christians here. Inside the temple, the following works of art are worth photographing: “The Assumption of Our Lady” by Gaetano Previati, “The Crucifixion and Saints” by Federico Barocci. Interestingly, a bomb was placed in the right nave, which damaged the roof of the cathedral in 1941 during the British bombing, but did not explode. Christopher Columbus was baptized in St. Stephen's Church. It was built on the site of a small temple from the 5th century. The relics of St. Stephen are also kept here in a silver casket. Residents of Genoa especially reverence the cult image of “Our Lady of Guardians.”
Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Photo: flicr.com
600 m from the square at 11 Garibaldi Street is the White Palace (or Luca Grimaldi's Palace). It is one of the Palazzi dei Rolla palaces, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paintings by Caravaggio, works by Peter Paul Rubens, Luca Cambiaso, and Paolo Veronese are stored inside.
On the same street (18th building) you will find the Red Palace, which also belongs to the Palazzi dei Rolli and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, works by Albrecht Durer, Mattia Preti, Bernardo Strozzi, and Anton van Dyck are kept there.
Red Palace. Photo: flicr.com
It is recommended to see the Ducal Palace, which is considered one of the most important historical buildings in the city. It is currently used as a museum complex in Genoa and often hosts conferences, exhibitions and concerts. It was partially but seriously destroyed during aerial bombing; major restoration work took place in the 90s. last century. The two halls decorated with frescoes and sculptures are of greatest importance and interest: the Grand Council Hall and the Small Council Hall.
You can also go to the largest aquarium in Italy, which is located on the Spinola Bridge in the ancient port of the 16th century. You can get here on foot from Piazza de Ferrari (about 15 minutes). The aquarium was inaugurated 20 years ago as part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. There are about 40 pools inhabited by fish and reptiles. Visitors especially enjoy the pools that house seals, dolphins and sharks. In some pools you can put your hand down to touch the fish - “tactile pools” (vasche tattili). By the way, the water in the aquarium comes directly from the bay near the seashore, but is filtered.
Amazing world. Photo: flicr.com
Not far from the Aquarium and Piazza de Ferrari (about 0.5 km) is the Palace of San Giorgio. It began to be built in the 13th century by order of the captain of the people, Guglielmo Boccanegra. In the old days, there was a prison here, then the port administration, and customs. For more than a century now, the administration of the Genoese port has been working here again.
Be sure to take a stroll through the coastal area of Boccadasse. Previously, it was possible to get to Boccadasse only by a steep staircase carved into the mountain range. Now Corso Italia will lead you here. You will have a view of picturesque buildings, fishermen sitting on the shore. You can relax in local cafes and order a fish dish. And if you go to Neptune Square, you can enjoy the view of the bay. It is believed that this area was founded about 10 centuries ago by Spanish fishermen who escaped bad weather here.
Coastal region of Boccadasse. Photo: flicr.com
The origin of this place still raises a lot of questions, because in fact the word “Boccadasse” goes back to the phrase “bocca d'asino”, which translated into Russian means “donkey mouth”. Scientists have come to the idea that this is how the shape of the bay in which the Boccadasse area is located is described. Nearby there is a protected marine zone, because unique conditions have been created here for the life of corals and many rare species of fish. In the port of Genoa there is one of the symbols of the city - a lighthouse, whose height is 77 m. Among local residents it is called the “lantern”. In the Middle Ages, one of the lighthouse keepers was the uncle of Christopher Columbus.
Genoa, on the one hand, with its narrow streets, and on the other, with such majestic architectural monuments, almost home-style cuisine and a seaside resort area, will make a deep impression on you. You will definitely want to return and continue exploring Liguria and its treasures.
