GENOVA

Art and culture in and around Genoa

Gateway to the sea
Genoa comes from the Latin janua - gate. What an attractive hypothesis, so redolent of mystery and promise! A gateway to the sea, to far horizons, exotic beaches, the fabulous markets of the Orient. A gate that also closes behind it a wealth of treasures: the arts, history, society and culture, the ordinary men and women who shaped the destiny of Genoa. Genoese, in a word at sea and on land, within and beyond the gate, a surly folk rooted in age-old traditions, loth to parade their possessions, yet more than ready to render what they receive. A reserved character, tempered by the scirocco and north wind, extraordinarily suited to developing a special sort of tourism-one that aims at preserving and enhancing an artistic and cultural heritage without selling out to commerce for mass consumption: on the facades of the palazzi, in the shady alleys, in the quarters where time, so far, hasn't worn away what man created . To savour an experience unique of its kind, just walk through thegate into Genoa "Superba", Genoa the proud, not through arrogance but by sheer majesty of image.

A World to discover
The atmosphere is evocative, the tone historical, redolent of things maritime: it is the old but "proud" part of Genoa that wears a big heart on its sleeve. Witness the winding alleys, the squares that suddenly open out the narrow spaces across which austere palaces have scrutinized one another over the centuries. To venture intothe historical centre is a gripping experience You are impressed not only by the narrow streets and mlnute squares, but bv the "illuminating" effect of mediaeval-Renaissance architecture co-existing with the strikingly up-to-date structures of an urban fabric in rapid development. Experiencing Genoa is a daily discovery of the tenacious bonds with the past: the master craftsman, custodian of an art that will perhaps remain heirless, works away in his shop next door to the designer of tomorrow's most sophisticated technology. And the Port, commerce, industry. the "city" the worlds of tomorrow - render even more though - provoking such questions as: why are the columns of the Cathedral all so different? Why have the statues of Palazzo Lercari had their ears and noses cut off?

Genoa over the centuries
To feel the presence of history in Genoa it is sufficient to take a stroll through the streets - from the "Soprana" and "dei Vacca" gates, vestiges of the city walls built in the 12th centu ry, to the cathedral, which preserves the basin into which, it is said, fell the head of John the Baptist, to the ancient churches of Santi Cosma e Damiano, Santo Stefano (where Christopher Columbus was baptized) and San Matteo; from Palazzo San Giorgio (where Marco Polo dictated "ll Milione") to the Home of Columbus, to the Sant'Andrea cloister, the Loggia di Banchi, the Embriaci Tower. A clear perception of what Genoa was like in the past can be had simply by walking along via Garibaldi, where Genoese families raised their town houses to princely elevation. During the Punic wars the city was an ally of Rome. In the Middle Ages it became a "Comune" (autonomous) and laid the foundations of a power that would reach its peak in the 13th and 14th centuries when Genoa controlled trade throughout the entire Mediterranean.

How to arrive in Genoa

By car
Highway A10 (E80) Ventimiglia-Genoa
Highway A12 (E80) Livorno-Genoa
Highway A7 (E25) Milano-Genoa
Highway A26 Alessandria-Genoa

By train
The trains follow the routes of the major highways. The Ventimiglia-La Spezia line gathers travelers in western Italy, going to Turin via Savona-Genoa, Milan via Genoa, Parma via La Spezia and joins the Tirrenica line for Rome, Naples and the South. Liguria is served by the principle international lines, coming from Nice, Moncenisio (near Turin), Gottardo, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Rapid connections are guaranteed by the TEE, EC and IC trains, and by connections with convenient times in all directions. Railroad Information: 010-284081

By plane
The international airport of Genoa Sestri, "Cristoforo Colombo," was built in the area resulting from a marine landfill. It includes over 130 hectares (some 52 acres) with a landing strip of 2.5 kilometers. It has an efficient service of land and air assistance. Genoa's airport is always open and has the unusual characteristic of being centrally located, only 6 km from downtown Genoa. It has regular service to principal European cities, with major stopovers in Italy and direct air connections to and from Genoa for: Alghero, Barcelona, Cagliari, Catania, Frankfurt, Geneva, London (LGW), Milan (LIN), Munich, Naples, Rome, Trieste, Zurich. Cristoforo Colombo Airport: 2411
Information: 010-2415410 / 6015410
Flight Information for Genoa,
tel. 010-6512728, fax 010-6512727
Tourist flights on request,
Aeroclub of Genoa,
tel. 010-6512728, fax 010-6512727

By ship
The port of Genoa is the most important Mediterranean and transatlantic maritime headquarters for passengers and merchandise. Ships arrive from ports in Europe, the Far East, the Americas, Africa and other continents. Frequent connections are guaranteed on national and Mediterranean routes, also for car ferries (Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica). Regular lines travel to the ports of La Spezia, Savona and Imperia. Smaller tourist ports allow docking of pleasure craft of every size, with optimum installations and services. In recent years shipboard vacations are again becoming appreciated. The introduction of new and up-to-date ships has been an active stimulus to cruise boats leaving from the port of Genoa. Maritime Port Services
tel. 010-265712;
Large Fast Ships (Grandi Navi Veloci), Genoa: tel. 010-589331;
Tirrenia Ferries: 010-258014