Genova -Genoa

The main features of central Genoa to be seen are:  Piazza de Ferrari, around which are sited the Opera and the Palace of the Doges.  There is also a house where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.

Strada Nuova (now Via Garibaldi), in the old city, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006.  This district was designed in the mid-16th century to accommodate Mannerist palaces of the city's most eminent families, including Palazzo Rosso (now a museum), Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Grimaldi and Palazzo Reale.   The famous art college, Musei di Strada Nuova and the Palazzo del Principe are also located on this street.

Other landmarks of the city:  Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Porto Antico, transformed into a mall by architect Renzo Piano, and the famous cemetery of Staglieno, renowned for its monuments and statues.   The Museo d'Arte Orientale has one of the largest collections of Oriental art in Europe.

Other than the old city sights, Genoa also has a large aquarium located in the above-mentioned old harbor. The Aquarium of Genoa is one of the largest in Europe.

The port of Genoa also contains an ancient lighthouse, called La Lanterna (i.e., "the lantern"). It is the oldest working lighthouse in the world, one of the five tallest ones, and the tallest brick one which is Genoa's landmark.   One of the most beautiful and pictoresque Genoese neighbourhood is Boccadasse in the east of the city.

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Portofino with its splendid bay is surrounded by the greenery of the promontory, it is a typical ligurian fishing village, with its high, colourful houses huddled in a semicircle around the piazzetta. 

It was one of the world's most famous and exclusive resorts, this town was a favourite of international celebrities, yet today it still retains an atmosphere of bygone days rich with traditions of the sea and local craftsmen. 

A visit to brown castle and a walk up to St. George's church and on to the lighthouse should not be missed.   Trails leading up the mountain and down to San Fruttuoso offer an unforgettable opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of this idyllic spot. 

Here was an historical event, from a boat in the bay, Gugliemo Marconi sent out a signal to Sydney, Australia, to light up the city with electricity.    A plaque attached to the side of the St George's church wall gives this information.

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La Spezia

The area of La Spezia was settled since pre-historic times.   In Roman times the most important centre was Luni now located in the vicinity of Sarzana (small city near La Spezia).

Main sights: La Spezia is a point of departure for the Cinque Terre, either by train or boat.  The boat also leads you to Lerici and Portovenere before turning into the open sea towards the Cinque Terre.


Main landmarks of the city proper include:

Churches:
      • Cristo Re dei Secoli ("Christ the King of Centuries", cathedral), consecrated in 1975. The project was by Adalberto Libera. 

      • Abbey church of Santa Maria Assunta ("Our Lady of the Assumption", 13th century).  It houses a considerable series of artworks, some of them coming from other suppressed religious institutes.   They include an Incoronation of the Virgin by Andrea della Robbia, the Multiplication of Bread by Giovanni Battista Casoni and st. Bartholomew's Martyrdom by Luca Cambiaso. 

      • Santi Giovanni e Agostino ("Saints John and Augustine", 16th century). It has a single nave with 18th and 19th century decorations. 

Museums:
      •  "Ubaldo Formentini" - Civic Museum in the Castle of San Giorgio 
       •  "Amedeo Lia" Museum 
       •  Palazzina delle Arti and Museum of Seals 
       •  Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (CAMeC) 
       •  Diocesan Museum 
       •  Ethnographic Civic Museum 
       •  Technical Naval Museum 
       •  National Transportation Museum 

Others:
      •  Castle of San Giorgio, recently restored.    Probably originated from a watchtower, a first castle is known to have been built by Nicolò Fieschi in 1262. In 1273 the Genoese destroyed it, and a new fortification, along with a new line of walls, was erected by the podesteria of La Spezia from 1371.   Annexed to this edifice, the Republic of Genoa added a new castle starting from 1607. 
      • Public Gardens 
       • Art Nouveau-style villas 
       • Futurist mosaic by Prampolini inside the Post Office 

Events:
      •  San Giuseppe, feast of the Patron Saint of the city, held on March 19. 
      •  Palio del Golfo, on first Sunday in August. 
      •  Cercantico, an antique fair, 1st Sunday of every month except July and August