Genoa, Italy

The historic centre starts at Lanterna, encircled by the gradual development of the city that has spread into the surrounding areas. In front of the Stazione Marittima, is the sumptuous Palazzo Doria Pamphily del Principe, which was once the residence of the great Admiral Andrea Doria. Continuing from here, you will reach the Principe Railway Station where the route into the largest historic centre in Europe begins. The splendid Church of S.Giovanni di Pré is worth visiting, as is the annexed Commenda di Pré, which was formerly a hospital and a lodging for knights on their way to the Holy Land. This leads to the picturesque Via Pré; or visitors can choose to follow the monumental Via Balbi, where only one family lives, to visit, Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Reale, and the Palazzo della Università. Piazza della Nunziata is nearby, whose name derives from the Chiesa della SS.Annunziata del Vastato, which is in this square. It has a neoclassical façade and rich, seventeenth century frescoes inside. From here, go down through Via delle Fontane to the medieval Porta dei Vacca (o di S.Fede), an old entry into the walled city from the west. Via del Campo near here, is famous for the song by F. De André, and leads to Piazza Fossatello, the commercial heart of the district. In the side street of Via Lomellini is the precious Oratory of S.Filippo Neri and the nextdoor Church of S.Filippo Neri, which face the house where G. Mazzini was born, now the home of the Museum of the Risorgimento and the Mazzinian Institute. Hidden in the narrow caruggi, or alleyways is the Abbazia di S.Siro, first cathedral of the city, where there is a plaque commemorating the miracle of San Siro who liberated the city from the Basilisco, a horrendous, monstrous demon. From here, go down to Via S.Luca, where there are numerous noble palaces and leads to the square with the same name, dominated by the Church of S.Luca. Take a small deviation to the National Gallery of the Palazzo Spinola, an important museum which reconstructs the atmosphere, furnishings and even, the kitchens of a period residence. At the end of the street is Piazza Banchi, an old grain market, and the home of the sixteenth century, Loggia dei Mercanti o di Banchi and the Church of S.Pietro in Banchi, built above the shops. From here, walking towards the sea, one arrives at the Palazzo S.Giorgio, the first home of Genoese power, where Marco Polo dictated the Million. Nearby, the picturesque and colourful Via di Sottoripa is an old, porticoed, street, built to protect the houses and workshops from powerful waves.

Passing under the Strada Sopraelevata, or elevated street, one enters the Area del Porto Antico (the ancient port area), a place to wander around various sights such as the Acquario di Genova, Genoa's Acquarium, the Città dei Bambini (children's city), the Sea and Navigation Pavilion and the National Museum of the Antarctic Felice Ippolito. This is also the place to take a boat trip around the port, ice skate, see a film at the new Cineplex, admire the sixteenth century Porta Siberia (or del Molo) and the nearby Church of S.Marco al Molo. Returning to the city, pass Piazza Banchi, go through Via Orefici and Piazza Campetto with a fountain and this leads to Piazza Soziglia, once the site of a vegetable and animal market, it is now home to historic shops, including Pietro Romanengo e i Fratelli and Klainguti. The nearby Church of S.M. delle Vigne in the square with the same name, was once a vineyard. Also worth a visit is the narrow, lively Via Macelli di Soziglia, a typical, Genoan alleyway where there are numerous butchers, craft workshops and second-hand shops. The end of the alley leads to the sixteenth century Via Garibaldi, formerly Strada Nuova, one of the most monumental streets in all of Italy, with two important city museums; the Galleria di Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace Gallery) and the Galleria di Palazzo Bianco (The White Palace Gallery), as well as the former Grimaldi Palace now, Palazzo della Meridiana and the town hall which is called the Palazzo Doria Tursi. In the nearby Piazza Portello, it is possible to go up in the Castelletto lift to the Belvedere L. Montaldo, which offers an extraordinary view of the city. Via Garibaldi ends in the large Piazza Fontane Marose, where the Palace of the Principe Pallavicino is found as is the Negrone Palace and the Spinola dei Marmi Palace. Through Via XXV Aprile, one reaches Piazza De Ferrari, the true heart of Genoa and the border between the historic centre and the modern city. The Genovainforma kiosk is here, near the fountain, in the centre of the square, and the Carlo Felice Theatre, the museum of the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti in the building with the same name, the Palazzo della Nuova Borsa and the Palazzo Ducale (the Ducal Palace), which has a lively, painted facade. The narrow S. Matteo alley leads to the Doria district, where the houses of the noble family can be found and the charming Church of S. Matteo. Walking towards Piazza Campetto, with its splendid, Imperial Palace, one reaches Via di Scurreria and the Cattedrale di S. Lorenzo, an architectural mix as a result of master builders from Pisa, France, Lombardy and Genoa. The interesting Museum of the S. Lorenzo treasure is here. Following Via S.Lorenzo, one arrives in Piazza Matteotti, where the neoclassical side of the Ducal Palace can be seen, with its powerful tower of Popolo Grimaldina and the Church of Jesus and SS. Ambrogio and Andrea. These churches hold a host of masterpieces, including two altarpieces by Rubens.

The narrow Pollaiuoli ascent leads to Piazza delle Erbe and the nearby Church of S.Donato with a lovely, octagonal tower. Climbing up Stradone S. Agostino, the School of Architecture is on the right and this leads to Piazza Sarzano, home to the Museum of Architecture and Ligurian Sculpture in S.Agostino. Art lovers should visit the Oratory S.Giacomo della Marina, which is a more than worthwhile deviation. From the square, where the remains of the city walls can be found, cross the Carignano bridge to the Church of di S.M, a masterpiece by the Perugino, Galeazzo Alessi, or go to Via Ravecca to visit the medieval Porta Soprana or di S.Andream the alleged house of Christopher Columbus and the valuable S.Andrea cloisters. Piazza Dante, nearby is the heart of skyscraper Genoa, near the old Seminary, the new home of the Civica Berio Library. Just metres away is the Via XX Settembre, a street full of busy traffic, near the Monumentale Bridge and Via S.Vincenzo. The beautiful black and white striped façade of the S.Stefano Abbey can be seen from here. At the end of the main city street, beyond the Church of N.S. della Consolazione and S.Vincenzo is the Brignole Station and the modern complex of Corte Lambruschini, the Natural History Museum and the large, Piazza della Vittoria. Walking towards the sea, passing the pavilions of the Fiera del Mare, is the Corso Italia, a lovely promenade which ends in the Boccadasse district. Visitors who are only here for a short stay and don't have time to visit all the places in this guide, which pinpoints the most important monuments and places in the city, are advised to take the Zecca-Righi funicular railway. This is a lovely mode of transport, which takes a few minutes to go up the Belvedere del Righi. From here there is a panoramic view of the whole city, including the sea and the mountains.