The Republic of Genoa is a state of bankers-financiers. What to see in the vicinity History of Genoa in the sources

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There are cities in the world without which the history of mankind is simply unimaginable. Such is Genoa - a city of contrasts and unique charm, a city with an amazing history, a city of seafarers and merchants, in the Middle Ages - the capital of the Republic of Genoa. Genoa is the main city and seaport of northern Italy. This is where Christopher Columbus was born. The settlement on the site of modern Genoa has been known since time immemorial and even before the birth of Christ already had a long and turbulent history. During the dark era of the early Middle Ages, the city fell into decay, then revived as an independent city-state with a large merchant flotilla and one of the most powerful military fleets in the Mediterranean.

Coat of arms of the city of Genoa

The noisy atmosphere of a large modern city immersed in work somewhat diminishes the importance of Genoa in the eyes of tourists, which is extremely unfair - the medieval old city is able to compete with any of the cities of Western Europe.

Genova (Italian: Genova), so lovingly called by the Genoese, gave many great people who had a strong influence on the course of the history of the whole world. The fate of Muscovy largely depended on the relations of the Genoese with the Golden Horde. There are fortresses of the Genoese all over the Black Sea coast. The most famous of them in the Crimea are Sudak (Soldaya) and Feodosia (Kafa).

Genoa is located on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa - part of the warm and gentle Ligurian Sea. It stands where the southern coast of the Apennine Peninsula, which had previously risen to the northwest, turns sharply south, striving for the Principality of Monaco and the Cote d'Azur of France - the land of fashionable resorts, villas, casinos and the "dolce vita".

Genoa is the capital of the Ligurian Riviera. If you have not visited this city, have not seen in reality its magnificent palaces, severe fortress walls, were not amazed by the majestic beauty of the Gulf of Genoa - consider that you have not seen anything in Italy.

This city is a landmark of all Italy. It impresses not only with historical monuments, but also with quite modern architectural buildings such as an aquarium or the Bigo Ferris wheel. There are so many interesting places in Genoa that it seems that a lifetime is not enough to see everything and consider it in detail.

This is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea (handling about 50 million tons per year). Genoa is a major industrial center. Metallurgy, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, oil refining, chemical, light and food industries are developed here. Genoa is home to the International Airport. Christopher Columbus (Aeroporto Cristoforo Colombo). The city's patron saint is St. John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista).

Railway station building in Genoa

The building of the sea station was built at the end of the 19th century. and reconstructed for the G8 meeting.

Marine Station. Nearby is the Maritime Museum, one of the main attractions of which is the S-518 submarine Nazario Sauro. The submarine has been standing here since 2010.

Panorama of the port and Lanterna lighthouse

Lanterna Lighthouse is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the world. It is a symbol of Genoa and is located in the old harbor - Porto Antico. The first navigation structure was erected in 1128. In 1326, the first lantern appeared on the lighthouse, the fire was kindled with olive oil so that ships passing by could better see its light. At the beginning of the 16th century, the lighthouse was seriously damaged during the war between Genoa and France, and after reconstruction, it took the form in which it has survived to this day. The height of the lighthouse is 77 m and 117 m above sea level.

375 steps lead to the top. Currently, the Lanterna lighthouse is also used for its intended purpose by the Italian fleet. There is also a museum inside Lanterna that tells about the glorious maritime history of Genoa and its famous lighthouse.

concerts and performances sometimes take place in the courtyard of the lighthouse....

lighthouse wall fragment

Il Bigot - an architectural masterpiece

This marvel of architectural design was created in 1992 by the famous architect Renzo Piano at an exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus.

The main feature is the unusual design of the attraction. Most of all, it looks like a bundle of cargo arrows of a steamship. The largest "arrow" raises the elevator cabin with panoramic windows to a height of 40 meters. The cabin slowly rotates around its axis, allowing you to observe the panorama of the port, the Gulf of Genoa and the city itself.

Porta Gate - Soprano

Porta Soprana is the city gate, which was built in the same era as the Porta dei Vacca (1161), and is located between the two towers of the city's crenellated defensive wall. This gate was the main entrance to the Medieval city from the east. Little evidence remains of the defensive walls of Genoa, which were built in the 12th century. In fact, Porta Soprana is part of the only surviving section of those walls. The wall was part of the defensive system and was called the "Wall of Barbarossa".

Triumphal Arch

Arc de Triomphe on the main street of Genoa - XX September Street. It was opened in 1931 and is dedicated to the victory of Italy as a participant in the First World War (participants, it must be said, are very weak and unfortunate; but the alliance with the Entente still provided her with victorious trophies in the form of some territories of Austria-Hungary)

Cathedral of San Lorenzo

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is the religious center of Genoa. Here is the Sacred Cup, which is called the real Holy Grail - the cup from which Jesus Christ drank at the Last Supper. The Holy Chalice is the symbol of the museum. It was brought to Genoa by the crusaders in the 11th century, after the conquest of Caesarea. It is still not known when it was made.

Clad in white and black stone, this cathedral is one of the finest examples of the Gothic style, erected on an existing Romanesque structure.

The interior of the temple is decorated with naves separated by columns; the columns themselves and their arches were made in the 13th century. On the vault between the nave and the altar is a fresco - "The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence" (Lazaro Tavarone).

Above the altar there is a fresco - the miracle of St. Lawrence, XVI century. Genoa has two patron saints - Saint Lawrence and Saint John the Baptist. In the left nave is the chapel of St. John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista). The inhabitants of Genoa are very proud of the fact that during the First Crusade their ancestors managed to take the relics of John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus Christ, out of Palestine.

Initially, the shrine was located in the main hall of the cathedral, but in 1465 it was moved to a specially built chapel next to the altar. In the dungeon are the treasures of the Cathedral.

Interior of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Basilica of Santissima Annunziata

Today, inside the cathedral you can see the works of such masters of world art as Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Giovanni Bernardo Carbone, Valerio Castello, Giovanni Domenico Cappellino, Domenico Piola, Giovanni Lorenzo Bertolotti and Aurelio Lomi.

The dome is decorated with the fresco "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" by Giovanni Andrea Ansaldo, later restored by Gregorio de Ferrari. Above the entrance at the central nave is the painting "The Last Supper" by Giulio Cesare Procaccini. All 6 chapels of the cathedral are also painted with numerous frescoes on religious subjects. In addition, inside you can see a variety of sculptural images of the Madonnas and luxurious images behind the altar.

In the 17th century two artists worked on the decoration of the church: the brothers Giovanni and Giovanni Battista Carlone. Giovanni Carlone frescoed the transept and the first three bays of the central nave. The decorative frescoes of the central nave tell of the life of Christ.

The decoration embodies all the splendor of the Baroque style of the 17th century. Painting c. Santissi ma Annunziata del Vastato. Artistic G. Carlone. 1636–1638

Fresco "Resurrection"

The most important detail of the decoration of the temple - the fresco of the dome depicting the scene of the Ascension of Our Lady - Lomellini was invited to do Andrea Ansaldo. In addition to frescoes and remarkable architectural decoration, the church contains many sculptures and paintings by prominent masters of the Baroque and late Mannerist eras. The columns are very beautiful: they are made of smoky crimson marble with white marble ribs.

Fresco "Prayer for the Chalice. Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane"

Wooden sculpture "Tenderness"

Jesuit Church of Saints Ambrose and Andrew

The church was built in the 6th century and rebuilt in the 16th century. At the end of the 19th century, statues of Saints Ambrose and Andrew were inserted into the niches on the facade. Although from Italian the Church of Jesus and Saints Ambrose and Andrew sounds more likely.

Church of St. Cyr

The Church of St. Cyr is one of the most ancient religious buildings in Genoa, located in the very center of the old city on the street of the same name, not far from the old port, about 700 meters northeast of Piazza de Ferrari.

The church was built in the 4th century and was originally dedicated to the twelve apostles. Later, one of the first bishops of Genoa, Saint Cyrus, was buried in the church, and it became the city's first Cathedral.

The interior of the church is richly decorated with works of art, among which are the frescoes by Giambattista Carlone on the vaults, representing the "Miracle of the Expulsion of the Basilisk", "The Crucifixion of St. Peter", "The Conversion of St. Peter", "The Fall of Simon Magus" (1646 - 1662). In addition, the fresco "Triumph of the Cross" located in the dome is located in the church. Paintings by Domenico Piola and sculptures by Taddeo Carlone have also been preserved.

Ferrari Square

The square got its name in 1887 in honor of the nearby house of the patron and Duke Rafael de Ferrari.

Duke De Ferrari - owner of the White and Red Palazzo, at the end of the 19th century. gave 20 million lira in gold for the reconstruction of the port (this is a third of the total amount, the rest was allocated by the royal government). That is why the main square of Genoa, which took shape just at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, was named De Ferrari. A fountain rises in the center of the square, built in 1936. Behind the fountain is the former building of the Stock Exchange.

Exchange dome

The Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in Genoa is one of the most important historic buildings in the city. The complex of buildings of the Ducal Palace covers an area of ​​35 thousand m². At first it served as the seat of the government of the Republic of Genoa. After Simon Boccanegra was elected doge in 1339, the status of the palace changed in accordance with the title of the head of the city government.

After the restoration completed in 1992, the Palace of Culture was opened here. Currently, the largest exhibitions in the city are held in the halls and courtyards of the Palace.

Square of victory

Victory Square is the largest, and, perhaps, the most official square of Genoa ... Without a story about it, the appearance of the many-sided Genoa will, however, be incomplete ...

green cascade on Victory Square

Marine theme

Acquaverde Square

Piazza Acquaverde is located next to Genoa Central Station. There is a statue of Columbus on it.

Monument to Columbus

Statue of Columbus with long flowing hair, dressed in a short Spanish cloak, as well as a large open cloak, his left hand rests at anchor, and the right on the shoulder of the figure of America - an Indian girl with a cross in her right hand. At each of the four corners of the base stand smaller square plinths, each with a seated statue, representing piety, science, constancy and prudence.

Between these four bass-reliefs: Columbus in front of the Council of Salamanca.
Columbus at the erection of the cross on the new earth.
Reception of Columbus by the kings of Spain in Barcelona on their return from their first journey.
Columbus is returned in chains to Spain.

Monument to Manuel Belgrano

Manuel Belgrano - national hero of Argentina, military leader, economist, politician. The city of General Belgrano in the province of Buenos Aires bears his name.
Born into a wealthy large family. Father - a merchant from Genoa - successfully naturalized; mother from a Spanish family, long settled in Buenos Aires.

Bank of San Giorgio (Banco di San Giorgio)

Bank of St. George (Banco di San Giorgio) - was established by the association of money changers in Genoa in 1407 and was housed in the medieval Palazzo San Giorgio. The construction of the palace was carried out in the middle of the 13th century by order of the captain of the people Guglielmo Boccanegra.

The palace was the first building in Genoa, which originally had a public purpose - a counterbalance to religious authority. In the 15th century, the offices of the influential Bank of St. George, which became one of the first banking institutions in Italy, were located here.

Galleon "Neptune"

The Neptune is a fine replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon. It was built in 1985 for Roman Polanski's film Pirates. The Neptune takes its name from the ship it portrayed, but the creators weren't willing to risk expensive materials because the hull is made of steel below the waterline. However, it is difficult to see with the naked eye, and for only 5 euros you can get on board the same boat that appeared as the Jolly Roger in Neverland. Neptune has been a key aspect of the Genoese tourism business for over 20 years and is even now worth a visit.

Coat of arms on the galleon "Neptune"

The figure after whom the galleon is named. God of the seas Neptune (in Greek mythology Poseidon). In his hands he holds a trident, which he can control the waves. The figure is mounted on a latrine (an overhang in the bow of a sailing vessel). The tradition of decorating the prow of a ship with a sculptured figure or relief has been around since ancient times. She was the symbol of the ship. When the ship served its term, the bow figure was removed, and it adorned the walls of buildings, columns, houses of the owner or captain.

Cemetery Stagliene

What the beautiful Angel Monteverde is sad about and what kind of conversations Friedrich Nietzsche had with his companions on trips around Italy, only the monumental Staglieno cemetery (Cimitero monumentale di Staglieno), located on the outskirts of Genoa and known throughout the world for its highly artistic marble tombstones and sculptures, knows.

In the 18-19 centuries, the aristocratic families of Genoa introduced the tradition of placing luxurious tombstones on the graves in order to perpetuate the memory of themselves and their loved ones in marble.

No matter how cynical it sounds, but death became an occasion for the creation of beautiful works of art that fill the Staglieno cemetery like an open-air museum.

The Genoese cemetery of Staglieno with 60,000 graves was opened in 1851 according to the project of the architect Carlo Barabino, who proposed to install a copy of the Roman Pantheon (“temple of all gods”) with Greek elements, images of the biblical prophets Jeremiah and Job, as well as a 10-meter statue in the center of the necropolis Faith by the sculptor Santo Varni.

At the end of the 19th century, the Staglieno cemetery became one of the main attractions of Genoa. Among the many who came here were Guy de Maupassant, Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway, who later described their impressions with delight.

Here you can see the works of famous Italian sculptors of the 19th century - Santo Varni, Eduardo Alfieri, Giulio Monteverde, Leonardo Bistolfi, wander among the tombstones of Constance Lloyd (the wife of Oscar Wilde), Ferruccio Pari (resistance hero, and later Prime Minister of Italy), the national Italian hero Giuseppe Mazzini, who has a separate mausoleum, and many others.

The most replicated tombstone in mass culture at the Staglieno cemetery is undoubtedly the feminine angel Monteverde, who has kept the peace of the Oneto family crypt since 1882.

The Staglieno Cemetery is truly an amazing embodiment of the element of beauty in the timeless space of eternity, a vivid element of the mosaic of impressions from visiting Genoa.

Genoa is famous for its magnificent palaces of aristocrats, which give a picture of the luxurious lifestyle of the 16th-17th centuries. The originality of the Genoese construction of palaces - the large-scale distribution of the mass and the skillful use of sloping plots for construction - the city owed to the native of Perugia - the architect-builder Galeazzo Alessi (1512-1572) and his followers. The development of trade with other countries attracted many foreign artists to the city, among them were Rubens and Van Dyck. Of the local artists, Luca Cambiaso (1527-1585), Bernardo Strozzi (1581-1644) and Alessandro Magnasco (1667-1749) are especially famous.

Palace of the Palazzo Reale

Aristocrats built their residences on Balbi Street. On it is the luxurious palace of the Palazzo Reale. The royal palace Palazzo Reale was built in the 17th century and belonged to the Genoese Balbi family. In 1679, the Balbi sold it to another powerful Genoese family, the Durazzo. Under the new owner - Eugenio Durazzo - the palace was significantly expanded. In 1823 the palace became the residence of the Savoy king.

Coat of arms of Palazzo Reale

Representatives of this dynasty further embellished this baroque splendor by bringing expensive furniture and art objects here. In 1919, the king of united Italy, Victor Emmanuel III, ceded the palace to the state.

Pebble carpet in the garden. 1738 - pebbled date

The palace of amazing beauty, fascinates with its elegance and grace of decoration. Wonderful stairs, huge balconies, very nice patio. This patio overlooks the harbor of Genoa.

Garden of the Palazzo Reale

Around the palazzo is a beautiful garden with a collection of exotic plants, which overlooks the sea. Pebble paths with beautiful mosaics depicting sea horses and other outlandish animals.

White Palace (Palazzo Bianco)

View from the terrace of Palazzo Bianco

In the foreground is the White Palace (Palazzo Bianco). In 1576, the Senate of the Republic of Genoa ordered the owners of palaces to provide their homes for representative purposes. Accounting for the Genoese palaces and estates was carried out for a long time on parchment scrolls, i.e. "rotoli". This word was later simplified to "rollie". On the basis of the list of "rolli" palaces, the order of providing one's dwelling for receiving foreign delegations was established. In total, the Rollie list contained about 80 palaces. Both palaces (White and Red), together with picturesque collections, were donated to the city in 1874 by their last owners, Duke Rafaele De Ferrari and his wife Maria Brignole-Sale.

Red Palace (Palazzo Rosso)

Palazzo Rosso is one of the oldest palaces in Genoa. The palace was built in 1671 - 1677 for the wealthy Brignole - Sale family. Until 1874, he remained in the possession of this family. Maria Brignole-Sale, Duchess of Galliera, bequeathed the palazzo to the people of Genoa in order to "increase the artistic splendor of the city."

Palazzo Giacomo Spinola

The palace (Palazzo Giacomo Spinola) was built between 1445 and 1459. Giacomo Spinola is a representative of one of the most noble and aristocratic families of Genoa. It reaches its greatest prosperity during the period when it was owned by G. Battista Spinola di Tomaso, Tommaso Spinola, a well-known writer, served as Doge of Genoa for two years. Currently, the palace houses the Banco di Sardegna bank, which was the main financier in the restoration project.

Palazzo Doria Pamphili Palace

Garden at the palace of Andrea Doria (or by the name of the current owner, Palazzo Doria Pamphili). In front of the palace is a beautiful Italian-style garden. The palace was built in 1530 by the famous admiral and ruler of Genoa Andrea Doria. At that time, the palace was used by the admiral to receive delegations and important guests. The garden in front of the palace descended to the sea, where Andrea Doria's private marina was located. Currently, a highway runs between the villa and the coast, and next to this place is the Genoa Maritime Station.

The most ancient part of the Palace-Gallery Doria Pamphili (Palazzo Doria Pamphili)

Mackenzie Castle

Mackenzie Castle in Genoa is a large mansion located in the Castelletto quarter. The five-story building of the castle is one of the most successful examples of eclecticism, combining the architectural preferences of the late 19th century, elements of Gothic and Mannerism. The originality of the building does not detract from even the obvious resemblance to the Signoria's palace in Florence.

Entrance to Mackenzie Castle

Mackenzie Castle. Here you can see the first building of the castle

The local economy is still supported by the port, and the city has recently been declared European Capital of Culture, which is helping to attract funding.

Seaport of Genoa

Embankment of the Old City

The Old Harbor is one of the must-see sights, even if you go there to climb the strange Il Bigot monument (erected in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Columbus) - it offers a wonderful view of the city and the sea ( on clear days you can even see Corsica). The harbor houses the Maritime Museum and the Aquarium Museum.

Cargo seaport, one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Genoa is the home port of many giant liners.

Aquarium in Genoa

Aquarium in Genoa, built as part of the international exhibition "Expo-1992", is considered the largest aquarium in Italy and the second largest in Europe. Aquarium building with an area of ​​3100 sq. m, one of the co-authors of which is Renzo Piano, is located in the area of ​​​​the old port of Genoa.

In 1998, the aquarium was expanded: a hundred-meter ship was attached to it, connected by a bridge to the main building. Today the aquarium consists of 70 tanks with a total volume of 6 million liters, which are home to a wide variety of fish, reptiles and invertebrates. About 1.2 million people visit the aquarium in Genoa every year.

Statue "Christ from the Abyss"

In the bay of the ancient Abbey of San Fruttuoso in the suburbs of Genoa, at a depth of 17 meters under water, divers and scuba divers are met by the statue of the Savior "Christ from the Abyss" (Il Cristo degli Abissi). The amazing transparency of the waters of the Italian Riviera, as well as the unusual idea of ​​​​an underwater sculpture, make this place very popular among tourists from Genoa, although you can only get to the abbey itself on foot or by boat.

The statue "Christ from the Abyss" was made by the sculptor Guido Galleti in 1954 according to the plan of the diver Duilio Marchante, who decided in this way to perpetuate the memory of his friend Dario Gonzatti, the first dead Italian scuba diver. The tragedy occurred just in the bay of San Fruttuoso in 1947.

"Christ from the Abyss" is a 2.5 meter high statue with its arms raised to the sky and its face turned upwards. The Savior seems to turn to the Lord through the water column, asking for mercy and protection for all the people of the sea - fishermen, sailors, divers.

For 50 years of being under water, the statue has become fairly overgrown with algae, and also lost part of its arm from a carelessly thrown anchor. In 2003, it was removed and restored, and in 2004 it was loaded back into its original place, but on a new pedestal.

In the world there are two copies of the original statue of "Christ from the Abyss" with the same name. One of them was installed on the island of Grenada at the entrance to the harbor, although originally it also rested in the bowels of the water. This "Christ from the Abyss" was donated by the Genoese sailors for the help of Grenada in rescuing passengers from the ship "Bianca C" that sank in the port of St. George's in 1961.

The second non-original "Christ from the Abyss" is installed in the waters of Florida at a depth of eight meters, not far from the Dry Rocks underwater reef. It was presented by Italian scuba divers to their American colleagues in 1962.

Cityscapes of Genoa...

Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Liguria

Roof gardens

Admiring the panorama of Genoa...

The Latin name of the city of Genoa (Genua) comes from the name of the mythical city founded by the two-headed god Giano, the protector of sailors and metal money. That is why this city is so “two-faced”: it looks both towards the sea and at its inner part at the same time. Many agree that Genoa is a city of contradictions,
but that doesn't stop me from loving and admiring him.

PHOTO NOT MY!!! Huge gratitude

My first acquaintance with the Italian region of Liguria happened in September 2013, when I visited places located in the south of this province. The impression was so enthusiastic that I wished to definitely visit the capital of Liguria - Genoa. This happy event happened in April 2014.

Genoa has many positive features in my perception. It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa of the Ligurian Sea (this coast is the Ligurian Riviera), framed by the Apennine mountains. Genoa has a long, eventful history, which I will briefly discuss below. The city abounds with beautiful sights, spectacular, but not intrusive landscapes. Genoa harmoniously combines space and comfort; there are many wide embankments, squares and esplanades, as well as narrow streets and secluded cozy places. All this guarantees an interesting and relaxing pastime.

Due to its glorious past and impressive landscapes, Genoa is nicknamed La Superba, which means "Excellent", "Majestic".

Toponym "Genoa". Brief information about the history of Genoa

The origin of the name "Genoa" is explained by different versions: 1) Celtic GENUA - "entrance, passage"; 2) Kainua (Etruscan) - a new city; 3) Janua - gate, door; 4) Latin GENUS (gonu) - "knee", by analogy with the bend of the seashore, resembling a knee - this version is given in the English-language Wikipedia; 5) Latin JANUS (Giano), after the name of the two-faced god, looking forward and backward, into the future and into the past.

Finally (in my opinion, the most likely version), 6) the ancient Celtic word Genaua means "mouth, mouth", since the city was founded at the overflow of the Bisanio mountain stream, on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. Archaeological excavations show that a Celtic-Ligurian settlement was founded here in the Iron Age. Genaua was adopted by the Etruscans as Genova, which is how it is spelled in Italian. And in the Ligurian dialect, Genoa is called Zena, and this word can often be seen in the city on posters, bags, etc. The name "Genoa" penetrated into the Russian language, apparently, from the German Genua.

In ancient times, Genoa was part of the Roman state. After the collapse of Rome, having experienced a period of unrest under the barbarian tribes, from the 10th century Genoa began to turn into a major seaport. By the beginning of the XII century, Genoa becomes an independent city-state, formally subordinate to the Holy Roman Empire. The Republic of Genoa was ruled by a commercial and aristocratic elite. The XIII century is the era of the peak of the power of Genoa, when for some time it controlled almost the entire Mediterranean and even had colonies in the Northern Black Sea region (Crimea, Taman). In the future, internal strife began to negatively affect. By the middle of the 15th century, the republic had finally lost its status as a great power. However, the change in the system of power and the union with Spain, which became the largest colonial empire, contributed to the fact that at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries Genoa turned into one of the most prosperous lands in Italy and conducted a lot of construction. But this period of prosperity also came to an end in the 18th century, due to the catastrophic weakening of the inefficient Spanish economy. At the end of the 18th century, Napoleon liquidated the Republic of Genoa. Since 1815, Genoa has been part of Piedmont (that is, the Kingdom of Sardinia). In the following decades, including thanks to the creation of a unified Italian state, Genoa became the main port of Italy. By the beginning of the 20th century, Genoa had already been able to challenge Marseille for the title of the busiest port in the entire Mediterranean.

Old Port

From the port, I will begin the story about the sights of Genoa. It was here, figuratively speaking, that the seeds of the prosperity of Genoa were sown from ancient times. Now the port consists of different parts, among which tourists are most attracted by the old one - Porto Antico. By the way, in the center of the Old Port there is a tourist information point (a small kiosk) where you can get a city map for free. I recommend that you definitely get it, since the layout of Genoa is quite complicated, and navigating without a map, in my opinion, is simply unrealistic.

Despite the name, the Old Port is a complex complex of buildings of different times. In 1992, the architect Renzo Piano reconstructed the Old Port, adding several prominent objects. Among them:

● Aquarium - the second largest in Europe after the Aquarium in Valencia:

I visited it and do not hesitate to recommend to all guests of Genoa to follow my example, as this will certainly guarantee a lot of positive emotions. For example, penguins cannot but arouse sympathy:

By the way, from the roof of the Aquarium you can make excellent panoramic photos of Genoa and the port:

● Bolla glass sphere is a garden showcasing the wide biodiversity of the tropics.

● Panoramic elevator "Il Bigot" consists of several arrows and is shaped like a spider (it's such a reminder of port cranes). An elevator rides along the longest (40 meters) boom, delivering to the observation deck. It must be interesting and visual there, but it seemed to me inappropriate to take photos through the glass, and I abandoned the idea of ​​​​visiting this site.

● The Neptune Galleon is a replica of a 17th century Spanish ship specially built for the 1986 film Pirates by renowned director Roman Polanski. After filming, the ship was left in Genoa. For a small fee, you can visit this ship.

It's nice to stroll along the picturesque waterfront of the Old Port:

Walk through the historic center of Genoa

From the Old Port I will take a walk-excursion through the historical center of Genoa. The first and exceptionally striking sight that meets on the way is the Palace of San Giorgio (Palazzo San Giorgio):

This cake-like palace is one of the most important buildings in Genoa and has been listed as an Italian National Monument. The first (or one of the first) banks in the world was located within its walls. The palace was built in 1260 by the patrician Guglielmo Bocanegra and was conceived as the first city hall. During the construction, some parts of the Venetian embassy destroyed in Constantinople were used, transferred to the Genoese by the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos as gratitude for the assistance provided in the fight against the Latin Empire. From the end of the 13th century, San Giorgio was used as a prison for a long time, and one of its famous prisoners was the Venetian Marco Polo. It was here, in collaboration with Rusticolo, that he wrote the famous book about his outstanding journey. In the 16th century, the palace became a bank, and its walls were covered with wonderful paintings. In the XIX century, San Giorgio was in poor condition, and even the question of its demolition was raised, but, fortunately, the townspeople did not allow this unholy plan to come true. Since 1903, the administration of the Old Port has been located here.

Going further, you get pleasure just turning your head back and forth; interesting views come across at every step. For example, a trading establishment Loggia dei Mercanti:

Such sculptural decorations of religious content are popular (especially often dedicated to the Madonna, whose cult in Italy is most common):

In the historical center of Genoa, so-called campos are often found - small closed squares surrounded by residential buildings and with the obligatory presence of a church (churches, by the way, usually have a very rich interior):

This type of development in some places causes a feeling close to claustrophobia (I'm joking, of course). But there are really very narrow streets in the old part of Genoa:

Next, I will show the Doge's Palace (there, by the way, an exhibition of paintings by the artist Edvard Munch was held - it is curious how the Doge would react to such art):

The building is quite modest in comparison with the Doge's Palace in. The institution of doge power in Genoa was far less significant than in its rival, Venice. The first Doge was elected only in 1339; this position was abolished in 1797 (at the same time as Venice). The building was originally built in 1251–1275; large-scale reconstruction and restoration work took place in the 16th and 18th centuries (especially after the fire of 1777, when the Palace was almost completely destroyed). Again the Palace was reconstructed in 1992 in connection with the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus.

Not far from the Doge's Palace stands the beautiful building of the Jesuit Church of Jesus and Saints Ambrose and Andrew (Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea):

The church has existed here since ancient times - as far back as the 6th century AD. The current view is from the 16th century, when the church was rebuilt by the Jesuits who arrived in Genoa.

The main church of Genoa is also located near the Doge's Palace. This is the Cathedral of St. Lawrence (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo):

According to legend, Saint Lawrence was killed and buried here. The cathedral was consecrated in 1118, although construction was completed only in the 14th century. The belonging of the bell tower to the facade is a feature of French Gothic. For the construction of the Cathedral, craftsmen from France were invited, who made it striped, since during the Middle Ages such stripes were a symbol of nobility and were often used in the construction of Genoese churches. The Franco-Norman style is typical for the three portals of the Cathedral (the main portal bears the name of St. Lawrence, the side ones - St. John and Gotthard). Above the main gate, you can discern the figure of Christ (the Judge), and below - the suffering of St. Lawrence, roasted alive on an iron grate.

In 1944, Genoa was heavily bombed by British aircraft. During one of the services in the Cathedral, a bomb broke through the roof and fell on the marble floor of the cathedral without exploding. Considering what happened to be a miracle of the Lord, and the temple as a Holy place, the clergy decided to leave the projectile as a symbol of God's Sign.

The entrance to the Cathedral is guarded by a lion of a rather melancholy appearance:

From the Middle Ages in Genoa, a remarkable building has been preserved - the Soprana Gate (Porta Soprana). From the outside of the tower they have a rounded shape:

From the inside of the tower are square:

The Soprana Gate was part of the defensive fortifications of Genoa and was built in the middle of the 12th century under the influence of a difficult relationship with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

I complete this part of the walk through the historic center of Genoa with a view of Piazza di Ferrari:

This is the main square of Genoa, located between the old town and the modern business center. There is a 1936 fountain in the middle of the square. The square got its name from the nearby house of the Duke and philanthropist Rafael de Ferrari in 1887. There are demonstrations of citizens and festive concerts. The side facade of the Doge's Palace, the Church of Jesus, the Palazzo of the Exchange (built in 1912 - it was almost in the center in my picture) and the main city theater Carlo Felice overlook the square.

Palaces of the Genoese patricians

Garibaldi street

One of the outstanding attractions of Genoa (more precisely, a group of attractions) are the so-called Rolli Palaces (Palazzi dei Rolli), or Palaces from the list. They received this name due to the fact that, by order of the Senate of the Republic of Genoa, all houses of noble Genoese families must be taken into account and listed in a special list according to certain criteria: importance, beauty and size. These houses had the honor to receive various foreign delegations in their walls according to their level. Only a few palaces had the honor of receiving the emperor, king, pope and other dignitaries. Palaces were more modestly content with less important guests. Rolli's palaces were built in the 16th century, during the heyday of Genoa. The final list was compiled in 1664 and included about 150 palaces, most of which have survived to this day. I examined two groups of Rolly's palaces from the outside.

The first group is located on Garibaldi Street, about 250 meters long. The name is somewhat strange for such a place; until 1882, the street was called Strada Nuova, and even earlier Strada Maggiore (I really did not like the fact that the street was named after Garibaldi). It should be noted that the street is quite narrow, as Charles Dickens noted in "Pictures of Italy":

Will I ever forget the streets of the palaces - Strada Nuova and Balbi! Especially Strada Nuova on a sunny summer day, when I first saw it under the brightest and bluest, cloudless summer sky, which in the gap between the huge buildings looked like a narrow precious strip of bright light, looking down into a thick impenetrable shadow.

I could not photograph the palaces in full (this requires special photographic equipment and a special place for shooting), so I will show a few fragments that interested me the most:

In some places you can enter the front lobby, and in this case I immediately noted the coat of arms with the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire:

A beautiful gallery on the second tier of the Palazzo Tursi building:

Impressive sculpture of some military leader:

I fell in love with the coat of arms with marching lions - one with a tree, the other with a cross (decorates the Palazzo Rosso):

Balbi street

The second group (smaller) of Rolli's palaces is located on Balbi Street. Among them, the most significant is the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale):

The palace was built in the 17th century. In 1823 it was sold to the King of Savoy and used as an official residence. This dynasty is reported by a carriage with a coat of arms:

Opposite the Palazzo Reale stands the building of the University, founded in 1481. I photographed an elegant heraldic image on one of the University buildings:

Marine station, its surroundings and the monument to Columbus

I will return to the port part of Genoa. Approximately 15-20 minutes walk from the Old Port is the Maritime Station (Stazione Marittima):

This is a historically important place for Genoa, Liguria and all of northern Italy, because numerous Italian emigrants went to America from here in search of a better life. The current building was built in 1914–1930. And now big ships are coming here - real floating cities:

Let me draw your attention to the difficult terrain in Genoa - walking on it requires, of course, outstanding endurance. On a series of terraces, the peripheral quarters of the city quickly climb up:

My main purpose of walking around the Marine Station was to find a monument to the great traveler Christopher Columbus. I did not know exactly where he was, and counted on the will of a lucky chance. And so it happened. Having reached the Main Railway Station, I found what I was looking for:

It is curious that there is no absolutely reliable information that Columbus was really a Genoese; moreover, six cities in Italy and Spain (!) dispute the honor of being his homeland. And yet, the least objection is caused by the version that he was born in Genoa or another city of the Genoese Republic. In Genoa, they even show some nondescript house where Columbus was allegedly born (it is believed that he came from a poor family). One way or another, if Genoa was his homeland, then not too caring. The fate of Columbus as a navigator was formed thanks to Spain, but Genoa paid tribute in the form of a monument much later. But the monument is undoubtedly beautiful, including the bas-relief scenes on it:

Also in the Naval Station area, the Prince's Palace (Palazzo del Principe) located opposite deserves attention. The building itself did not seem particularly outstanding to me (in my opinion, the large imposing houses behind it are more spectacular), but the beautiful garden was remembered:

In fact, this is not a palace, but a villa; built in 1530. It is noteworthy that the villa served as the residence of Admiral Andrea Doria, a man whose role in the history of Genoa can hardly be overestimated. In 1528 he liberated Genoa from the French and restored the republic; established the rule of the principate; people from the Holy Roman Empire began to serve in power structures; the power of the groups that previously controlled certain areas of the city was eliminated; the power of the doges was limited, the term of their official duties was reduced from life to two years. Under Andrea Doria, money flowed like a river to Genoa, which ensured the construction of not only the Princely Villa, but also all of Rolli's palaces. The villa is now a museum.

Also, being in the area of ​​the Maritime Station, it is worth looking at the Castello D'Albertis. I did not have enough time to get close to him (you need to climb quite high), so I took a picture from a distance:

The castle was built in 1886-1892 (the end was specially conceived for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus). Onk is a mixture of architectural styles: here you can find elements of the castles of the Italian region of Valle d'Aosta and Florentine palaces, traces of neo-Gothic and medieval architecture are visible. Now there is an ethnographic museum.

Arc de Triomphe, several views of Genoa from above and Lanterna lighthouse

I remember the Arc de Triomphe on the main street of Genoa - XX September Street. It was opened in 1931 and is dedicated to the victory of Italy as a participant in the First World War (participants, it must be said, are very weak and unfortunate; but the alliance with the Entente still provided her with victorious trophies in the form of some territories of Austria-Hungary):

I complete the story of a walk in Genoa with photographs taken from above (from the Viletta di Negro Park located on a hill, which is a short walk from Garibaldi Street and Piazza di Ferrari):

And the last thing I want to talk about in this article is the Lantern lighthouse. In Italian, the word Lanterna means "lantern", "lighthouse". But if it's capitalized, it almost certainly means the Genoese Lighthouse. This symbol of Genoa is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the world. The height is 117 meters, 375 steps lead to the top. The first navigation structure was erected here around 1128, and the lighthouse has a modern look since 1543. In 1340, the coat of arms of Genoa was painted on the tower of the lighthouse. In 1405, the priests who were responsible for the upkeep of the lighthouse placed frescoes depicting a fish and a golden cross, symbols of Christianity, on the dome of the lighthouse. Throughout history, Lanterna has been damaged many times, but they have always been stubbornly repaired. For me, Lanterna is a majestic, bright and lively image of Genoa, overcoming all difficulties:

The city of Genoa is located in Northern Italy, on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. As a port, Genoa occupies an important economic position in Italy. The city is also the largest center of heavy industry, shipbuilding and food industry.

In addition to a developed economy, Genoa can be proud of its cultural life. No wonder Genoa became the European Capital of Culture in 2004! Go to Genoa and you will see that this is a city of universities and science.

The history of Genoa dates back to ancient times. Initially, there was a small Greek colony on the territory of modern Liguria. Later, a small Ligurian settlement appeared here, which fought on the side of the Roman Empire during the Punic Wars. This area was repeatedly captured by the Corthaginians, then the Ostrogoths, and during the Early Middle Ages by the Byzantines, Lombards and Franks. By the 10th century, Genoa became one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, and already at the beginning of the 12th century it received the status of an independent city-state. Genoa reached its greatest prosperity during the time of the Crusades and then surpassed many European states in its wealth and influence. This maritime power had not only a developed trade and shipbuilding industry, but also a banking system. But, as you know, a rise is followed by a fall, and Genoa was no exception to the rule. Already in the XIV century, the first signs of an economic and political crisis began to appear, after which Genoa finally lost the status of a great maritime power.

Today, Genoa is the most popular Italian resort, where tourists from all over the world come to combine a great vacation on the beach with educational excursions.

Climate

The climate of Genoa is mild Mediterranean, it is formed by the proximity of the sea and the protection of the Apennines from the winds. The average temperature in Genoa in summer is +25 °С, and in winter - +10 °С. This climate allows tourists to visit Genoa at any time of the year, but the most popular period is from May to September.

Nature

Genoa is located on the coast of the beautiful Genoese bay.

On the one hand, the city is washed by the azure waters of the Ligurian Sea, and on the other hand, it is protected by the majestic Apennine mountains.

Attractions

From the sea, Genoa can be seen by its permanent symbol - the lighthouse "la Lanterna", which proudly adorns the port. In the port, you just need to see the "Palazzo San Giorgio" - this is a palace of the XII century, made strictly in the style of the Renaissance.

The main square of Genoa is Piazza Ferrari.

From it comes San Lorenzo Street, which will lead you to the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Many tourists come to Genoa to look at the greatest Cathedral Chapel of San Giovanni (1450-1465), which was created to store Christian relics. The real decoration of the city is the Loggia dei Mercanti, it was in this building that the first Italian commodity exchange was located. And the gates of Porta Soprano will remind you of the former medieval power of Genoa; in the 12th century they were part of the city wall.

An obligatory part of any excursion program is a visit to the Church of St. John the Baptist (1451), the Palazzi dei Rolli palaces (under the protection of UNESCO), the Doge's Palace and the University Palace. Try to include in your tour a visit to the National Gallery of Liguria, the Gallery of Mirrors, the Palazzo Bianco Painting Gallery, the Palazzo Rosso Art Gallery, and the House of Columbus.

Nutrition

Fans of Italian cuisine will be very pleased with the restaurants of Genoa, and lovers of other culinary trends will be able to find an institution to their taste.

The Italian restaurant Da Genio will surprise its guests first with an amazingly beautiful interior in black and white, and then offer unique dishes. The specialties of this establishment are stuffed anchovies and cod with olives. The setting of Da Guglie is more relaxed, but the menu is as varied as the previous restaurant. Most of the dishes here are prepared according to old Ligurian recipes: fish pancakes, artichoke pie and other delicacies. Restaurant La Berlocca constantly surprises its customers with new culinary masterpieces, the menu here is updated every season. The most popular dish here is potato dumplings with vegetables. In addition, this restaurant has its own wine cellar, any visitor can treat himself to a bottle of good wine from there.

The oldest and most famous pizzeria in Genoa is Tristano e Isotta, located in the old town. This is a great place to visit in between sightseeing.

Accommodation

Family hotels are an excellent budget option for accommodation in Genoa. Large companies choose the same accommodation option. There are family hotels in every district of Genoa, so finding them is not at all difficult. It is noteworthy that for a reasonable price you will be provided with excellent living conditions.

Right on the waterfront is the magnificent Grand Hotel Arenzano 4 *. The hotel has a large park and garden, an olympic and children's pool, a gourmet Mediterranean restaurant and a private beach.

Just a few steps from the main street of Genoa is the luxurious hotel Melia Genova 5 *. The hotel building was designed and built in 1929. In the corridors of the hotel and in the halls of the restaurant, paintings by famous Italian artists hang, and in some rooms there are works by famous photographers.

You can book luxury apartments with a view of the marina and yachts at the MarinaPlace Resort 4*. The hotel is located close to Genoa airport.

Entertainment and recreation

Numerous world-class festivals are held in Genoa every year. Before Christmas, Genoa welcomes the Festival of Circus Arts, during which colorful performances with the participation of famous circus groups take place in theaters and concert halls, on the streets and squares of the city. This festival is so large-scaled that it is accompanied by various fairs: craft, book, etc.

One of the largest aquariums in Europe is located right here in Genoa. Not only children, but also adults will be delighted with the shows and performances that are held here daily, and of course, with the variety of sea inhabitants living in the aquarium.

The most popular among tourists are the beaches of Bagni La Marina, Bagni Vittoria, Bagni Aldebaran and Bagni Maddalena. These beaches are visited by lovers of a calm and serene holiday, as well as fans of sports recreation.

The magnificent natural sites of Genoa and its surroundings can be seen during the Ferrovia Genova-Casella Railroad tour. No less interesting natural attractions of Genoa are collected in the luxurious Orto botanico botanical garden.

Young people's favorite places are the New Ghost music club and the Senhor Do Bonfim disco.

Purchases

Genoa is a great place for shopping, because here you can find boutiques of famous brands, and souvenir shops, and antique shops, as well as shops with fresh products from the gardens, orchards and farms of Genoa. A huge number of them are located on Galleria Mazzini. If you're lucky, you might get into the sales season, when almost all stores offer incredible discounts. Such attractions of unprecedented generosity are held several times a year. Not far from the railway station is a large shopping center Fiumara.

Look for world famous brands and boutiques of famous Italian designers on Via XX Settembre, in the city center. There you will meet Benetton, and Zara, and Mexx.

In addition, if you just walk around the city, you are sure to stumble upon charming flea markets, old bookstores and very original souvenir shops. So do not be lazy to walk if you want to show off interesting purchases later!

Transport

Public transport in Genoa is represented by buses and metro.

The fastest way to get to the city center is by metro, which includes 10 stations and is only one branch.

The fare in public transport is as follows: for a short trip 0.70 euros, for 90 minutes of travel 1.20 euros, for the whole day 3.50 euros. Tickets for travel can be purchased at any newspaper or tobacco kiosk and at special ticket machines at bus stops.

Tourists who plan to travel frequently by public transport can purchase a "welcome" card, which gives certain benefits not only for travel, but also for other tickets.

An elevator will take you from the high part of the city to the low part of the city. You can order a taxi by calling 5966.

Connection

You can use an ordinary landline telephone in Genoa almost everywhere: in the city from a telephone booth, in cafes and restaurants, in a hotel. There are two ways to pay for calls: regular coins and prepaid cards. An interesting feature of telecommunications in Italy is that there are no general fixed tariffs, so the cost of a call from one place can differ significantly from a call from another place.

It is also possible that calls from a hotel will cost you less than calls from a pay phone.

There are 4 mobile operators in Italy: TIM, Tre, Vodafone and I WIND. They provide a large selection of tariff plans and interesting offers. Ask the service provider about all possible connection options. Just remember that mobile phone service in Italy is one of the most expensive in Europe.

Using the internet in Genoa is easy. The city has a large number of Internet cafes, as well as wireless access points. Many restaurants and hotels provide Wi-Fi connection to their customers for free.

Safety

When you go on an independent walk around the city or a tour with a group of tourists, try not to take large sums of money unnecessarily.

Other valuables should also be left in the hotel room. In most restaurants in the city you can pay by credit card. Carry your mobile phone and camera in your bag, not in a case on the strap. Thus, your belongings will be reliably protected from pickpockets.

Business climate

In Genoa, there is the Fiera di Genova exhibition center, which is popularly called "born of the sea". Every year, this expo center hosts many exhibitions, most of which are devoted to shipping, shipbuilding and the sea in general. The most important event in the ship world is the Genoa International Boat Show.

Those who are not interested in this area are looking forward to Euroflora. The exhibition center literally blooms, because it is filled with rare plant species, decorative waterfalls and fountains. Leading Italian designers and florists will hold master classes for visitors to the exhibition.

If you have planned to get acquainted with all the main attractions of Genoa in the shortest possible time, we recommend that you go to the Porta Principe station. Exactly from the railway station sightseeing buses depart daily. On the spot you can choose the most complete and interesting tour for you.

The main tourist office is located in Ferrari Square, in the city center. Here you can get a lot of useful information for tourists: about upcoming events, rules of conduct in certain places, about transport and much more. Also in the office you can take a map of the city. Just remember that the office is open on weekdays.

City in northern Italy, adm. c. region Liguria. Mentioned at the turn of N. e. Rome. by authors like Genua. The name, apparently, from the Ligures. gen mouth (lit., jaw, mouth), also allowed from Celt, gena mouth. Modern ital. form Genova, Russian traditional… … Geographic Encyclopedia

Genoa- Genoa. Seafront. GENOA, a city in Italy, on the Gulf of Genoa. 701 thousand inhabitants. One of the largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea (cargo turnover over 40 million tons per year); international Airport. Metallurgy and mechanical engineering, ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

City in Northern Italy. The main city in the province of Genoa, in the region of Liguria. In ancient times, the settlement of the Ligures. In the 3rd century BC. conquered by the Romans. It was an important trading port of the Roman state. Under the Lombards (from 641) Genoa was the center of the duchy, and ... Historical dictionary

- (Italian Genova, French Genes, in antiquity Genua, in the Middle Ages Janua and according to him Jenau) the fortified main city of the former republic of the same name, and now a province in Italy, is located as an amphitheater on the steep slope of the Ligurian Apennines, near ... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

- (Genova), a city in northern Italy, on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa of the Ligurian Sea; the main city of the historical region of Liguria. In ancient times, a Ligurian settlement, one of the most important trading ports of the Roman state (from the 3rd century BC). From XII... Art Encyclopedia

Exist., number of synonyms: 4 asteroid (579) city (2765) sail (54) ... Synonym dictionary

Genoa- (Genoa), an important port in the north. app. coast of Italy. Port and fortress built in the 5th c. BC, were captured by the Romans in the 3rd century. BC. After the fall of the Roman Empire, G. in 634 fell under the rule of the Lombards (Lombardy), then it repeatedly ... ... The World History

Genoa- (Italian Genova), ch. mountains Genoese province, modern. Primor. crst, important port., commercial. and industrial mountains to the north ber. G skago bay, at the confluence of the river. Bysanio, at the foot of the Ligurian Apennines; OK. 250 tons of inhabitants, parking place 44, 83 and 84th pѣh ... Military Encyclopedia

GENOA- [ital. Genova], city in Italy, the capital of the region. Liguria, the center of the archdiocese of the same name. In present At present, there are more than 270 parishes in the archdiocese of G.. Of the 834 thousand population, approx. 776 thousand Catholics (An. Pont., 2005. P. 259). The city is a large trading port and ... ... Orthodox Encyclopedia

- (Geneva) a city in Northern Italy, on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa of the Ligurian Sea. The main city of the province of Genoa and the region. Liguria. 842.8 thousand inhabitants (1969). Pressed by the mountains (Ligurian Apennines) to the sea, the city stretched for more than 30 ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Books

• Genoa - Monaco - Avignon. Book 7. Travel Notes: By Car from Geneva, by Nina Leflat. Port and ancient Genoa, Monaco with its most modern infrastructure, medieval papal Avignon - interesting information about these places is presented in this book. And also - historical reports; ... eBook
• Genoa moping, Claudio Pozzani. The unique project of the "Russian Gulliver" in the series "G EOGRAPHY TRANSLATION D A" is an Italian-Russian-Armenian trilingual of a poet and cultural trader from Genoa. Lyrics equipped with complex…

Which is located four hundred kilometers northwest of (Roma), on the coast of the Gulf of Genoa (Golfo di Genova). Genoa stretches along the coast in a narrow strip for thirty kilometers: the Apennine mountains (Appennin) do not allow the city to grow in breadth. On the geographical map, Genoa can be found at the following coordinates: 44°25' north latitude, 8°56' east longitude.

City `s history

The settlement of the Ligures (lat. Ligures) appeared here long before the birth of Christ. In the third century BC, the city was conquered by the Romans, a hundred years later the Carthaginians destroyed it. After that, Genoa changed hands until, in the tenth century, the townspeople decided to build powerful fortifications and strengthen ties with other Christian cities. Thanks to this, ships from different regions of the Mediterranean Sea began to enter Genoa, and the city turned into a major port.
In the twelfth century, Genoa, although part of the Roman Empire, was an independent city-state ruled by a council of consuls. It included representatives of four influential families who represented the interests of different guilds.

The Republic of Genoa flourished thanks to the Crusades: many European kingdoms could envy its influence and wealth. One hundred thousand inhabitants lived here, trade and shipbuilding were developed. The Genoese owned many colonies: they owned Corsica (Corsica), the northern part (Sardegna). The Genoese also settled in Galata near Constantinople, in Cafe (Crimea), Taman (Krasnodar Territory) and other cities of the Northern Black Sea region.

In the fourteenth century a period of decline began, and a hundred years later Genoa lost many colonies. Nevertheless, for some time the city was saved by America, which was discovered in 1492 by the local native Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo). The Genoese general Andrea Doria, who was in power at the time, promoted an alliance with Spain (Spagna). Thanks to this, part of the American gold settled in Genoa. That is why the city flourished until the beginning of the seventeenth century. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the countries of America, one after another, chose independence, and the economy of Genoa fell into decay.
When Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleone Buonaparte) came to power, he annexed the Republic of Genoa to France. When his power fell, under the terms of the Congress of Vienna, Genoa passed to (Piedonte). After that, the city began to develop as a port, and by the beginning of the twentieth century it had become the largest port in the Mediterranean. In 1861, the Italians proclaimed the creation of a united Italy - and Genoa became part of it.
The city was seriously damaged by air raids of World War II. But the Genoese quickly managed to restore the destroyed monuments of art.