Genoa – detailed information about the city with photos. Main sights and attractions in Genoa with descriptions, travel guides and maps.
Genoa (Italian: Genova, Latin: Genua) is a city in northwestern Italy, the capital of Liguria. It is one of the largest Italian ports with a glorious and rich history. Genoa is the capital of a once powerful and rich maritime republic with the largest historical center among European cities, the birthplace of the legendary Columbus and the genius Paganini. It is a city with an amazing charm: the sea, the old port, many rich old palaces and beautiful monuments hidden among cozy streets and reminiscent of past wealth, excellent cuisine and a peculiar port atmosphere. All this makes Genoa one of the most interesting cities in Italy.
The capital of Liguria is often overlooked. Most tourists who come to Italy want to see the antiquity of Rome, touch the cultural treasures of Florence, dream of Venice or shopping in Milan. Many people think that Genoa is a pale shadow of a mighty maritime power, just a big city and a large port. And this is not entirely true! Here, the facades of rich historical buildings and cultural monuments are hidden among the untidy but atmospheric streets, which are filled with charming alleys, street cafés and restaurants, and the Old Port is still as full of life as before.
Genoa is located in the northwestern part of Italy, almost at the base of the “Italian boot”. The city stretches in a long, narrow strip along the Gulf of Genoa of the Ligurian Sea and is bounded by the sea and the Apennine Mountains. The climate is humid subtropical. Summers are quite hot, and winters are rainy and cool. More than 1000 mm of precipitation falls per year.
Best time to visit: May-September. In October, the season of frequent rains begins and lasts until February.
In ancient times, there was a small Greek colony on the coast of the Gulf of Genoa. Later, a fishing settlement of the Ligurian tribe was founded here, destroyed in the 3rd century BC by Carthage. Around this time, these territories were annexed to the Roman Empire. After its collapse, Genoa was ruled by the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Lombards, and Franks in turn.
The emergence of Genoa as one of the largest ports began in the 10th century. In the 12th century, it was already an independent city-state with an extensive network of colonies and numerous trade ties, not inferior in wealth to Venice and Pisa.
The period of decline of the Maritime Republic began in the 14th century. At the end of the century, Genoa became dependent on the French, and in 1421 – on the Milanese. In the 16th century, the city was revived. With the discovery of America and the alliance with Spain, Genoa became one of the richest European cities. Economic prosperity and prosperity lasted until the 18th century.
In the 18th century, the Genoese Republic was transformed into a French protectorate, and later annexed to France. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, Genoa was ceded to Piedmont. In the second half of the 19th century, the city became part of the United Italy.
Christopher Columbus International Airport is located 10 km from the city. It offers regular flights to Rome, London, Paris, Istanbul, and Munich. Genoa can be easily reached by train and bus from Milan, Turin, Rome, Florence, Nice, Pisa, Livorno.
Genoa is a great place for shopping. It is easy to find designer boutiques, supermarkets, and antique shops. Branded stores are located in the Via Settembre area. A large shopping center called Fiumara is located next to the train station.
Genoa is famous for its gastronomy. The main features of Ligurian cuisine are pesto sauce, focaccia, fresh seafood and fish, pasta, farinata (chickpea dish). You can try good pizza in pizzerias. A popular place with a large concentration of cafés and restaurants is the Piazza delle Erbe area. Many inexpensive establishments can be found on Via Garibaldi.
Via Garibaldi is a real gem of Genoa. It was founded in the 16th century and became the site of the construction of palaces of wealthy Genoese. In this small space, chic houses with the coats of arms of noble families stand side by side, competing with each other in the beauty of architecture and richness of facade decoration. Garibaldi Street is located just north of Piazza Ferrari near the sailors’ quarter. The Rosso, Bianco and Tursi palaces are open to the public. The street itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
San Lorenzo Cathedral is a majestic church and the main sacred building of the city. The cathedral was built in the 12th century as a Romanesque basilica, reconstructed in the 14th century in the Gothic style and rebuilt again in the early Renaissance style in the 16th century. The building has a beautiful marble facade. Precious Christian relics are kept here: the ashes of John the Baptist and a plate on which, as it is believed, Solomia was presented with the saint’s head.
Santi Ambrogio is a Jesuit church on the small Piazza Matteotti, built in the 16th century in the Renaissance style. It is believed that the church has the most beautiful interior among religious buildings in Genoa: fancy baroque with marble, frescoes and two paintings by Rubens.
San Matteo is a small 13th-century Gothic church with a marble facade. It is located near Santi Ambrogio on Via Tommaso. Inside there are many relics from the period of the Genoese Republic. In the crypt is the tomb of Andrea Doria, who in the 16th century restored the independence of Genoa and increased the wealth of the city.
Santa Maria di Castello is a 12th century Romanesque church with beautiful frescoes. It is located in one of the oldest places in Genoa, where the Etruscans and Phoenicians traded. In the 15th century, a Dominican monastery was founded here.
The Church of Jesus is a 16th-century Jesuit church with a beautiful interior in the Genoese Baroque style with multi-colored marble decoration. The religious building was built on the site of an earlier church founded by Bishop Ambrogio of Milan, who fled from the Lombards.
Cimittero di Staglieno is a beautiful Campo Santo, one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Italy. Here you can find many interesting tombstones in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
The Genoa Aquarium is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Italy and Europe. It was built in 1992 in honor of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. A great place for a family vacation.
Genoa Harbor is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, with 22 kilometers of berths with yacht and marine vessel berths, warehouses and industrial cranes. We recommend visiting Porto Anti, the old port where Admiral Doria’s ships were built in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Porta Soprano features two well-preserved towers of the 12th-century medieval city gate. Nearby is the Columbus House, where the famous navigator is believed to have spent his childhood.
The Royal Palace (Palazzo Real) is a magnificent 17th-century mansion with majestic staircases, balconies, luxuriously decorated interior and a collection of works of art.
Piazza Ferrari is a lively center of Genoa with a beautiful fountain. The square is surrounded by beautiful neo-baroque and art nouveau buildings.
Palazzo Ducale is one of the most magnificent historical buildings in Genoa, the palace of the Genoese Doges. The building was founded in the 13th century. The medieval part is still perfectly visible. The palace was constantly expanded and rebuilt. The last reconstruction was carried out in 1992.
Embriaci is a tall medieval tower built in the 11th century. It is one of the few surviving towers that were erected by eminent Genoese next to their homes.
Piazza Vittoria is one of the city’s central squares, with an impressive triumphal arch built in the 1930s.
The aqueduct is an engineering structure for supplying water to the city, built in the 13th century.
San Giorgio is one of the most beautiful and colorful buildings in Genoa, with a magnificent facade that houses the port authority. The history of the palace began in the 13th century. This palazzo consists of two different parts: one part is older, a typical example of medieval urban architecture, and the other is made in the Renaissance style.
The Lanterna is one of the symbols of Genoa, a 16th-century lighthouse 117 meters high. To see the port and the historic city center from its height, you need to overcome 172 steps.
The Fisherman’s Village is an ancient and picturesque seaside enclave located within the city of Genoa. It is a neighborhood of pretty pastel houses and cozy restaurants with terraces.
There are practically no beaches in Genoa, although the capital of Liguria is located near the beach resorts. A small, nice pebble beach can be found just in the fishing village.
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