City off the Beaten Path

Best unusual destinations in Italy

Genova

This city is the main town of Liguria with mild, sunny weather. Walking around the city is a constant surprise. As is tradition, people of Genoa are well known to be great sailors and merchants throughout the Mediterranean sea. The old town is surrounded by what they call “Strade nuove” – which translates to “new streets”. Such as Via Garibaldi, Via Cairoli and Via Balbi where Palazzi dei Rolli – an UNESCO heritage site– are located.

Features

The city is developed on an unexpected multilevel crisscross of gardens, parks, scenic areas, historical squares and monuments.
At the “Porto Antico” area – “old harbour” – is where we will find craftsmen/artisan workshops and merchant shops. This is where high quality Genoan products at very good prices were sold. Here one could fancy traditional Ligurian cuisine too. Genoa was no stranger to diversity either. Now multicultural shops and food courts coming from many different walks of life are located here now.  

Genoa is enriched from several beautiful structures: 

Palazzo San Giorgio: nowadays it is the headquarters of the maritime system authority but it’s iconic for the fresco decoration that faces near the square and for the building’s peculiar structure. One of the sections, the oldest, is Medieval while the other one is in a Renaissance-style.
Palazzo della Borsa dei Valori: was built in 1912 in a wonderful Liberty style and was the first Italian Stock exchange showing the supremacy of the Genoan financial market. It is located in the well-known “De Ferrari” square where you can find a beautiful fountain in its center.
Christopher Columbus’ House: where he lived from 1455 to 1470 is close by Porta Soprana, just outside the 14th Century medieval walls.
San Lorenzo Cathedral is noticeable for its Roman-Gothic mixed architecture and renowned for its black-and-white front. Its construction started in 1100AD. On the ceiling of the presbytery of the altar is the beautiful fresco of “The Martyrdom of St Lawrence” painted by Lazzaro Tavarone.
Vicoli: Close by the Porto Antico there is a labyrinth of narrow streets among the downtown area. Popular for its difference in construction like the Roman churches, side by side with Classical and Neoclassical styles. Some may also find a little bit of oriental architecture too.