The Historic Center of Genoa, Italy

One place that is a must see when visiting Genoa, Italy, is the Historic Center that lies behind the walls of the city. My husband's cousins took us here one day to enjoy a stroll together, see the sights and have dinner. We took the excellent Genoa Metro towards the eastern gates of the old city. Seeing the juxtaposition of the modern motorcycle means of transportation in Genoa, with the ancient towers, made me smile.  Genoa is noted for its many examples of medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture. The Ducal Palace, San Lorenzo Cathedral. Church of San Matteo, and Palazzo San Giogio are some of the most important historical monuments.

Right outside the city walls is the  House-Museum of Christopher Columbus, who was born in 1451, and was the explorer who was credited with discovering the Americas in 1492, is an 18th-century reconstruction of the original building where he lived in his youth. It was destroyed during the French bombings of 1684.

The magnificent Porta Soprana (also known as Porta Sant'Andrea) is one of the many openings in the ancient Walls of Genoa. In 1155, the Genoese feared an attack by Frederick Barbarossa and created a circuit of walls enclosing the majority of the city.  

A plaque inside the Porta Soprana entrance translates roughly as "I am defended by soldiers and surrounded by amazing walls.....If you come in peace, you may touch these doors. If you come looking for war, you will retreat sad and defeated..."

Right inside the gate were the ruins of an ancient Cloister of Sant'Andrea, once part of a monastery in the 11th century.

Click on to enlarge

The Historic Center of Genoa is made up of many buildings with narrow alleys called "caruggi." We walked along admiring the many shops, restaurants and personal residences located there.

High above were many different towers that caught my eye.

On many buildings throughout the center were wonderfully detailed religious statues

While we walked around we could hear many different church bells ringing at noon. Click on the video above to hear them.

Duomo di Genova or Cattedrale San Lorenzo * Church of Genoa or Cathedral of Saint Lawrence) was built between the 12th and 14th century. It is one of the most important churches in Genoa and the symbol of the city.  A church has been located here since Roman times.  During World War II on the 9th of February 1941, the British battleship fired a bomb into the Genoa's cathedral. The bomb reached the church, punched the cathedral roof and did not explode! That event was called the Saint Lawrence miracle. It is still possible to see the bomb that was left in the church. 

The facade of the cathedral is very ornate! Lions flank both sides of the stairs, with gargoyles above them.

Inside the cathedral.

We were able to go up these steps towards the second level of the church and then all the way to the top of the bell tower.

 Views from the second level of the cathedral

The panoramic view from the top of the belltower.The modern part of Genoa can be seen in the distance as well as the lighthouse called the Lanterna. A nearby church's dome was under wraps as the church was undergoing reconstruction.

The church of Santa Maria Delle Vigne (Saint Mary of the Vine--named for the vineyards that once surrounded it.) was constructed in the 10th century and it is very plain from the outside.

Click on to emlarge

Inside it was very opulent with gilded accents and beautiful murals.  The main altar was reconstructed in 1730

The Palazzo Ducale was once home to the Doges of Genoa.

It is now a museum and center for cultural events and art exhibitions. 

 Click on to enlarge

This collage tells the story of Giano's Well. Legend has it that is how Genoa was named

One day was not enough to explore all the interesting historic center of Genoa, to visit all its churches, or shops or cafes, but we had an enjoyable time seeing what we did and know that when we return to Genoa we will go back to see more!

We returned to the neighborhood we were staying in, close to the soccer stadium, and had dinner that evening at a fabulous seafood restaurant called Da Marcello. There we had traditional Pesto Genoese pasta, frittata, and an amazing assortment of seafood. We enjoyed the food so much we returned a few more times during our visit!

It's time to hop on a motorcycle and tour more of Italy in my future posts. Ciao, Genoa!

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