Sometimes called Belvedere Montaldo, this is the best picture-postcard view of Genoa to be had. This extraordinary vantage point 80 meters above ground is situated in the elegant Castelletto area. From this ruin of the "castelletto" which was demolished in the middle of the last century one can have a view over the rooftops, the bell towers, the hanging gardens, the old port and the Lanterna. The best way to reach it is via the public lift in piazza Portale, which was described as the best route "verso il Paradiso" - to heaven- by the poet G. Caproni. The lift's terminal is an elegant Art-Nouveau tower, which is one of the loveliest examples of this style in the city. It is a little known fact that the old reservoirs, which collected the water deriving from the ancient aqueduct crossing the Valbisagno, can be found underneath this ruin.
This has always been a meeting place for Genovese merchants. It was first the salt market, which then became the heart of the city's business and trade. The piazza owes its current appearance to sixteenth century modifications, from which time many of the buildings date: the Chiesa di S.Pietro in Banchi, located directly above the stalls, the Loggia dei Mercanti o di Banchi, the former site of the Market Exchange, the interior of which boasts imposing statues representing the high-achievers of the republic (aristocrats, businessmen who carried out public works). The piazza is still busy with traders, animated by second hand book and record sellers, as well as by the many tourists who cross through to reach the Area del Porto Antico and the Acquario di Genova.
Designed by Bernadino Cantone in the 1550s, Via Garibaldi is one of Genoa's most picturesque avenues and has been used as a model for subsequent expansions throughout the city. The street spans the distance between Piazza Fontane Marose and Piazza della Meridiana, lined with palazzi built between the 16th and 18th Centuries for some of the city's most wealthy families. In true Genoese style, the palazzi are all richly decorated within and face onto leafy courtyards, enhanced by lily ponds, frescoed walls and terraces. Several of these are now public buildings that are open to visitors, while others have been preserved as museums. Via Garibaldi is also renowned for its many restaurants, gelaterias and bookstores.
Palazzo Bianco was built in the first part of the 16th century by the Grimaldi noble family on the Strada Nuova, now called Via Garibaldi. It was then given to Brignole Sale who gave it a sumptuous appearance. Finally the building was donated to the Comune of the Duchess of Galliera. It was intended that it should become a civic museum. After post-war restoration, the paintings were displayed according to their period and painting school which they came to be knows as Galleria di Palazzo Bianco. There is a significant amount of works by the Flemish and Dutch masters and some important Italian artists. The Spanish school is represented by some paintings by Murillo and Zurbaran.
The Balbi family built a royal residence in the 17th century. Later, it was transformed into a baroque-style structure. It is a well-decorated palace featuring a beautiful terrace, courtyard and gardens with a variety of exclusive plants. Today, the building is considered an archaeological site and a national historic museum.
Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno is one of the most interesting cemeteries in Italy and is visited by many foreign tourists. It owes its fame to its amphitheater on the slopes of the hill and the continuous succession of monumental buildings and little woods. It was created by G.B.Resasco in successive phases since the middle of the 19th Century. It is dominated by the Chapel of the Intercession (or Pantheon). Here are all the headstones of the famous people of the city. There are sculptures and architecture throughout the galleries, tree-lined avenues and in the English and Jewish cemeteries. They are a sample of art from the second half of the 19th Century.
The church is hidden and almost suffocated by the surrounding modern buildings. It was founded in the eighth century in a sacred wood. In the seventeenth century it was rebuilt with the arrival of the Benedictines. From 1826, it was managed by the Evangelist laborers under Abbot Paolo Gerolamo Franzoni. It is divided into three naves, with a rich Baroque appearance thanks to the important series of frescoes by P.G. Piola, V.Castello, G.B. Carlone, D. Fiasella. The spectacular marble group "Saint Martha in Gloria" in the apse is particularly interesting. This was the work of one of the most important Baroque Genovese sculptors, Filippo Parodi. The statue seems to stretch up towards the sky and the face of the Saint is bathed in natural light, creating a fascinating effect.
This cinema is one of the summer open-air arenas, and is located within the Villa Croce gardens. There are 500 seats, and shows start at 9p. Films may be suspended due to bad weather. There is a bar open during the performance, which is organised by Art and Movies Centro Culturale Carignano.
The church was renovated in 1640 and lost much of its original character because of a new neoclassical façade. However, it still has its splendid square bell tower with mullioned windows, octagonal spires and pinnacles. The quadrangular cloisters next to it were also built at the end of the eleventh or beginning of the twelfth century. At that time this area had no other buildings. The cloisters were made with very ancient square capitals. They have now been modified into private housing. The tomb of Incisa Vivaldi has been there since 1304. It is underneath the arch to the left hand side of the church. It has been embellished by a second century sarcophagus. On the other side of the church, there is a beautiful late gothic gateway. In the lunette there is a Madonna with child by D.Piola. The 17th century interior has coupled columns which copy the nearbyAbbey of S.Siro. It has a decorative series of frescoes which are by a line of painters each who continued the work of art over some two centuries. (G.Palmieri, P.G.Brusco, G.Passano, L.Gainotti). Future mothers should stop a moment in front of the nursing Madonna which has been painted on one of the Romanesque columns. This picture is venerated by women expecting a baby.
It is difficult to find this tiny church; Chiesa Evangelica Valdese. It's hidden inside a nineteenth century palazzo on Via Assorotti. The Valdese churches are not part of the Roman Catholic main church, but more of a breakaway Methodist line. This in turn has caused friction with the Vatican, who believes that there should be no boundaries within Christianity.
This place of worship is inside a palazzo in the Foce district, one of the residential areas of the city. It is recommended that you telephone to arrange a visit.
After years of debate, the Marine Reserve was added to the Regional Park of Monte di Portofino, which represents a fundamental stage in the protection of the marine environment in the area. The underwater activity in the Marine Park is now strictly regulated and limited to diving in certain. Do not miss out on a visit to Cristo Degli Abissi in the San Fruttuoso bay, an easy and enchanting place to dive.