Before Italy was United and became the Italian Republic, Genoa was a republic that included the island of Corsica.
The World’s greatest explorer Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451 and donated part of his income from the discovery of the Americas to his hometown. His house stands as a Monument.
The People of Genoa are called Genoese.
List of some Famous Genoese people: Andrew Doria, Niccolò Paganini, and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Europe’s first modern bank opened up in Genova.
The world’s oldest bank, the Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena, dates back to the 12th Century. The first recorded public bond and foreign exchange contract happened in Genova, which dates back to 1150 and 1156.
Pesto was created in Genoa, locals call it Pesto alla Genoverse, which derived from the Genoese verb pesta, which means to ‘to Crush’.
The Worldest oldest Insurance company, the Tam Mari Quam Terra, was founded in Genoa in 1424.
The Golden age of Genoa was in the 16th Century.
Genoa has been a major seaport since the 12th Century.
The Lighthouse of Genoa also called Lanterna and is situated on the hill of San Benigno, stands at 249 feet and is the worlds fifth tallest lighthouse and is the second tallest “traditional” lighthouse, the lighthouse was built by Masonry in 1128.
Since 1543 and until 1902 when the Île Vierge was built, it was the tallest lighthouse in the world. Considered as a whole with the natural rock on which it stands, as it is commonly perceived and represented, its height is 383 feet.
The lighthouse had two purposes one is to be a warning signal and as a fortification, during the middle ages, it was isolated from the city walls and only until the 17th century it came part of a defensive walls.
The most significant restoration work was performed in the 16th during the French domination of Genoa. Louis XII decreed that a fortress had to be built on the Lighthouse cape.
Despite inevitable damages, the Lighthouse remained intact during World War Two, an extraordinary fact, considering that Genoa was repeatedly bombarded from the day following Italy’s declaration of war in 1940.
You can find a beautiful and large coat of arms painted on its lower part of the tower, red cross and a white background.
Its the only lighthouse to have a keeper and is known as the most important lighthouse in Italy, it’s been operating for over 9 centuries, you can see its light from a distance of 50 kilometers.
The public can enter the Lighthouse and go up to 172 steps until it becomes a restricted area as the light house is operated by the military.
Location
Address: Rampa della Lanterna, 16126 Genova GE, Italy
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Palazzo Rosso was constructed in 1671 and construction finished in 1677, Pietro Antonio Corradi was the Architect of this historical palace of Genoa and was owned by the Brignole Sale family until 1874.
Maria Brignole Sale, duchess of Galliera, left the Palace to the City of Genoa, so it can increase its artistic splendor and practical resources. Since then the palace became a municipal property and later became a public gallery.
Maria Brignole Sale also donated portraits which was constituted the first nucleus of the collection which now has works of artists such as:
Guido Reni
Albrecht Dürer
Gregorio De Ferrari
Paolo Veronese
Van Dyck
Mattia Preti.
Albrecht Dürer
Bernardo Strozzi
You can find noble residence decorated with valuable furnishings and some of the greatest painters from the 17th Century.
Opening Hours
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Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9:00 AM –6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM –7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM –7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM –9:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM –7:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM –7:30 PM
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Location
Address: Via Garibaldi, 18, 16124 Genova GE, Italy
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Genoa’s Palazzo Ducale or Ducal Palace is one of the city’s most prestigious Palaces. Construction began in 1298 and was completed in 1783, This was the era when Genoa was Asserting economic power throughout the Mediterranean.
The Republic bought the Palazo Fiesscho, which was an adjoining building to the Palace and incorporated it to the new building, part of the medieval building is still visible today.
During the 14th and the 15th Centuries new constructions were made to the palace and it was given a new appearance in the 16th Century, Making it more appropriate, more modern compare to the original medieval look.
Andrea Ceresola in 1591 was an architect, was given project to rebuild the Palace, the result of this transformation was Monumental, characterised by a magnificent foyer flanked by two porticoed courtyards, and a broad staircase leading from the foyer to the rooms of the piano nobile, the reception rooms and the apartments of the Doge, with an annexed chapel.
Fire of 1777, destroyed the Palace and a restoration project was given to Simon Cantoni, who added neoclassical elements to the building. Following the work carried out in the 19th century and early 20th century, the Palace was subsequently restored to its former splendour by a complex restyling project and official opened in 1992. It was known as the largest restoration project that was carried out in Europe.
Currently the Palace offers amazing Venues for major events and Exhibitions. As well as housing retail and entertainment facilities.
Opening Hours
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Monday
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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Location
Address: Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
The Palazzo Reale is known as the Royal Palace or Palazzo Stefano Balbi is a major palace in Genoa and In 1823 the Palace was sold to the Royal House of Savoy However since 1919 the Palace is now the property of the State.
The Construction of The Palazzo Reale first began in 1618 for the family of Babli, But in 1643 to 1655 the Construction was renewed under the direction of the architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino,
Construction of the present structure began in 1618 for the Balbi family. For a brief time the construction of the palace came to a halt however from 1643 the work renewed under the direction of the architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino and finally completed in 1655.
In 1677 the Durazzo Family bought the Palace and later enlarged it with the help of designer, Carlo Fontana.
During the 18th Century issues with the stability was fixed by blocking up alternate aches in the facade and reinforcing the load bearing walls and the alchoves were subsequently filled.
In 1837 the Palace was damaged by Fire and was later restored by Gaetano Genovese, who built the monumental staircase and redesigned the south-facing wing, with the Belvedere courtyard and hanging garden.
On July 13th 2006 the palace was on the list of 42 buildings belonging to the Rolli di Genova , which became UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Opening Hours
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Monday
2:30 PM–7:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM–7:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM–7:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM–10:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM–7:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM–10:30 PM
Sundady
9:30 AM–7:30 PM
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Open ticket € 14
Full price € 12
Group reductions, visitors under 26 and over 65, teachers, disabled visitors and conventions holders € 10
Free entry under 6 years old
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Ticket Type
Price
Family Ticket
€ 10 adult + €6 children
Schoolchildren, FAI and Touring Club groups
€ 6
Card Lombardia holders
€ 8
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Location
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 12, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Galata Museo del Mare is situated between the Aquarius and the Maritime Station and housed in the oldest surviving building of the old Darena, which was once an Arsenal of the Republic of Genoa, From the year 1500.
Now the Galata is home to the Museum of Sea, which was reconstructed and designed by Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra.
The Galata Mare Museum has been well established its self as one of the best attractions in Europe, Being given a two stars of the Touring Club Italiano, Trip Avisor Excellence Certificate, among other awards.
The Aquarium of Genoa situated on the old harbour area of Genoa, it’s the largest aquarium in Italy and the second largest in Europe, standing at 33,000 square foot.
The aquarium was originally built for Genoa Expo 1992, celebrating 500 years since the Genoan sailor Christopher Columbus discovered the new world. The building was designed by Genoese architect Renzo Piano of the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, it was designed to look like a ship that was about to set out to see.
The Interior design for this project was Peter Chermayeff who was leading a design team at Cambridge Seven Associates.
Inn 1998, the aquarium was expanded with the addition of a 100 m ship connected by walkway to the original building.
The Aquarium is the largest exhibition of aquatic biodiversity in Europe, it has:
71 tanks
15,000 animals belonging to 400 species.
Aquarium is a member organization of the European Association of Zoos and Aquarium (EAZA).
Aquarium of Genoa is located right in the old town of Genoa: the Old Port
Walking: around a 10 to 15 minutes walk from the city centre of Genoa
By Train: Genova Principle Station and aquarium is at a walking distance of 5-10 min from main station or get off the train at Genova Brignole station and take the Metro to San Giorgio.
By Car: Take the “Genova-Ovest ” highway exit and then proceed towards the centre for around 2 km (Via Milano – Via Gramsci).
By Bus: Bus Services 1, 12 and 13 all have their terminus in front of the Aquarium.
By Plane: The Aquarium is 7 km from Genoa “Cristoforo Colombo” Airport: around a 15 minute taxi ride away.
Opening Hours
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Monday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
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Admission
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Price
Aquarium Only
Acquario Village
Aquarium Planet
Galataquarium
0-3 Year old
Free Entry
Free Entry
Free Entry
Free Entry
4 – 12 Year old
€17
€36.50
€24.50
€29
Adult
€25
€53
€39
€42
Reduced
€22
€44.50
€29.50
€37
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Aquarium Only: will give you access to Acquario di Genova.
Acquario Village: Access to Acquario di Genova, Galata Museum, Biosphere and Bigo Panoramic Lift.
Aquarium Planet: Access to Acquario di Genova, Biosphere and Bigo Panoramic Lift
Galataquarium: Access to Acquario di Genova and Galata Museum
Genoa is the capital city of the northwest of Italy’s liguria region, the largest port city in the north-west of Italy, Genoa has a rich history, with stunning architecture and fancy palaces, it’s a gem that should be explored by tourists.
Information and statistics
the great explorer Christopher Columbus was in fact a Genoese, born in 1451
Italian sauce pesto find its origins in 16th century Genoa
the world’s oldest insurance company, the Tam Mari Quam Terra, was actually found in Genoa in 1424.
The lighthouse had two purposes one is to be a warning signal and as a fortification, during the middle ages, it was isolated from the city walls and only until the 17th century it came part of a defensive walls.
