about genoa

The main features of central Genoa include Piazza de Ferrari, around which are sited the Opera and the Palace of the Doges. There is also a house where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.

Strada Nuova (now Via Garibaldi), in the old city, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006. This district was designed in the mid-16th century to accommodate Mannerist palaces of the city’s most eminent families, including Palazzo Rosso (now a museum), Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Grimaldi and Palazzo Reale. The famous art college, Musei di Strada Nuova and the Palazzo del Principe are also located on this street.

Other landmarks of the city include St. Lawrence Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo), the Old Harbor (Porto Antico), transformed into a mall by architect Renzo Piano, and the famous cemetery of Staglieno, renowned for its monuments and statues. The Museo d’Arte Orientale has one of the largest collections of Oriental art in Europe.

Other than the old city sights, Genoa also has a large aquarium located in the abovementioned old harbor. The port of Genoa also contains an ancient lighthouse, called La Lanterna (i.e., “the lantern”). It is the oldest working lighthouse in the world, one of the five tallest ones, and the tallest brick one and it is Genoa’s landmark.

One of the most beautiful and pictoresque Genoese neighbourhood is Boccadasse on the east of the city.