Doge's Palace in Genoa. Ducal Palace or Palazzo Doge, Genoa, XVI-XVIII centuries

The sights of Italian Genoa attract tourists with its picturesque beauty and unique architecture. The labyrinths of narrow streets, fortress walls, elegant palaces, churches will not leave indifferent even tourists who have seen a lot. Cristoforo Colombo was born here. Therefore, any Genoese will point to the house where the great traveler grew up. There is also a palace where Marco Polo was imprisoned, and in the Old Port you can see one of the largest aquariums in the world and a very old lighthouse.

Genoa (Italian Genova) is a city in Italy, main city the province of Genoa and the region of Liguria. Population - 604.8 thousand people (2012), the sixth largest city in the country. It forms the Greater Genoa agglomeration with a population of over 800 thousand people. Located in northern Italy, on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea. It stretches out in a narrow strip for more than 30 km, bounded on both sides by the sea and the Apennine Mountains. Center of the Ligurian Riviera.

Largest seaport Italy; international airport named after Christopher Columbus; metro The historical center is adjacent to the old port. In ancient times - a settlement of the Ligurians, conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. e. Since the 11th century, it conducted active trade in the Mediterranean Sea; thanks to participation in crusades turned into the powerful Republic of Genoa with numerous overseas colonies. After defeat in the war with Venice and the shift of trade routes to the Atlantic Ocean in the 14th-16th centuries, it fell into decline, losing independence in 1797.

The origin of the name “Genoa” is explained by different versions: 1) Celtic GENUA - “entrance, passage”; 2) Kainua (Etruscan) - new city; 3) Janua - gate, door; 4) Latin GENUS (gonu) - “knee”, by analogy with the bend of the seashore, reminiscent of a knee - this version is given in the English Wikipedia; 5) Latin JANUS (Giano), named after the two-faced god, looking forward and backward, into the future and into the past. 6) the ancient Celtic word Genaua means “mouth, mouth”, since the city was founded at the spill of the Bisanio mountain stream, on the banks of the Ligurian seas. Archaeological excavations indicate that a Celtic-Ligurian settlement was founded here in the Iron Age. Genaua was perceived by the Etruscans as Genova, which is how it is written in Italian. And in the Ligurian dialect, Genoa is called Zena, and this word can often be seen in the city on posters, bags, etc. The name “Genoa” entered the Russian language, apparently, from the German Genua.

The earliest wall of medieval Genoa that has survived to this day, the mura del Barbarossa, appeared in the mid-twelfth century (there were seven lines of fortifications in total). It had three gates through which one could enter the city. Two of them have survived to this day. In the fourteenth century, the walls were expanded to the southeast to the Carignano hill to the west. The length of the fortifications was 4.5 km, which made it possible to protect an area of ​​155 hectares from the enemy. These walls quickly became obsolete: weapons capable of breaking through them appeared.

Brignole Station

Piazza Principe Station

Jesuit Church of Saints Ambrose and Andrew

The beginning of construction dates back to the sixth century: it was then that the temple was erected here by the bishop of Milan, who fled to Genoa during the persecution. The church passed to the Jesuits in the mid-sixteenth century. They remodeled the temple and decorated it with paintings by Rubens, Giovanni Merano, Giovanni Carlone and other masters of the 16th-17th centuries.

The facade of the temple needed to be rebuilt again at the end of the nineteenth century after the passage between it and the Doge's Palace was destroyed. When developing a new project, the craftsmen used Rubens' sketches. After the work was completed, sculptures of Andrei and Ambrose were installed on the facade.

The Bank of San Giorgio is considered one of the world's first financial institutions of this type. It was founded in 1407 by the guild of money changers. Over time, his influence became so great that he loaned money to the kings of Spain and owned the Genoese colonies in the Crimea and Corsica. But his most famous client was the navigator Christopher Columbus.

At one time the bank even controlled the Genoese fleet. The four consuls who headed the Bank of San Giorgio were related or friends with the most powerful aristocratic families of Genoa. The famous bank existed for almost 400 years - until 1805, when Napoleon invaded Italy. The French emperor could not tolerate banking structures that were independent (from him) and immediately closed this “shop.” Today, the city port administration operates in the Palazzo San Giorgio.

Portello Square

Church of the Ascension of Our Lady

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is the only church in Genoa designed in the form of a cross inscribed in a square. Along the edges of the temple are two bell towers, on which five bells are installed. The facade is decorated with sculptures of the seventeenth century: above the portal is depicted the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, on the sides are Peter and Paul. Construction of the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady began in 1552 and was completed half a century later.

A hundred years later, it was allowed to hold bishop's services here, which is why it was necessary to make a number of changes to the basilica. The work dragged on for two centuries: the inside of the temple was decorated with stucco, gilding, paintings, and sculptors by famous masters. Since the temple is built in the center of the city, a lot of religious activities take place here. Important memorial events are often held in the vestry. Thus, in the seventies and nineties of the last century, they mourned the victims of terrorism.

Garibaldi Street

Porta Soprana street

Monument to Christopher Columbus. An Indian girl sits at his feet, and on the pedestal there is a high relief depicting the council in Salamanca, in which Columbus convinces those present about the advisability of his voyage.

Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

This square is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in the city. The most noticeable monument on it is the statue of the first king of a united Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, proudly sitting on a horse.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

Caricamento Square

Zecca Square

Basilica della Santissima Annunziata

Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, interior

Construction of the temple began in 1520. The building was conceived in the Gothic style, which distinguished it from other buildings of the Renaissance. But after the walls were erected, construction was stopped: the temple was transferred to the Franciscans from another order. At this time, the Council of Triden adopted regulations on church architecture, and it turned out that the built basilica did not comply with them. Therefore, the monks were obliged to rebuild it in the Baroque style.

XX September Street

Mazzini Gallery

Basilica of Santa Maria Immacolata

Loggia dei Mercanti

Palazzo Doria Tursi

Palazzi dei Rolli (Italian: Palazzi dei Rolli) is a quarter of palaces of the Genoese aristocracy, built in the era of Mannerism. In 2006 it was declared a monument World Heritage. This is the first centralized urban development project in European history, carried out in accordance with a pre-legislated plan (owned by Galeazzo Alessi). More than forty palaces are crammed into a fairly narrow piece of land, which forced the owners to build them upward. In 1576, the Republican Senate obliged the owners of the palazzo to provide hospitality to delegations foreign countries. Palazzo dei Rolli, as an example of an innovative urban planning solution, aroused genuine interest among foreigners visiting Genoa, not excluding Rubens. The experience of constructing this aristocratic quarter was used in the redevelopment of Paris conceived by Henry IV and his minister Sully (see Place des Vosges).

Palazzo Doria Spinola

Palazzo Spinola in Pellicceria

Palace of the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti). The building was designed by Carlo Barabino in 1825. At the bottom of the academy there is a museum displaying works by Donatode Bardi, Orazio De Ferrari, Serafino De Tivoli and other masters. Paintings, ceramics, marble and bronze sculptures, and other exhibits are exhibited here.

The Rolli Palaces (Palazzi dei Rolli) is a quarter of palaces, which is the first project in European history that was built according to a pre-approved plan. The houses are located on the street. Garibaldi (via Garibaldi) and its surroundings. Here, on a small area, the aristocrats built more than 40 palaces. Since there was not enough space, the owners built houses not in width, but in height. In 1576, the Senate of the Republic obliged the owners of the palaces to receive foreign delegations in the palaces. In 2006, the attraction was added to the UNESCO list.

Since 1824, the palace was the official residence of the kings of Savoy, who further embellished this baroque splendor by bringing here expensive furniture and art objects. There were also extensions in the form of additional apartments. In 1919, King Victor Emmanuel III of a united Italy ceded the palace to the state. Since 1922, the Committee for the Architectural and Landscape Heritage of Liguria has been based here, on the Piano Nobile. Today, the restored palace is open to the public. Once inside, it is interesting to look at the main objects of pride of its former owners - the Throne Room, the Ballroom and the Hall of Mirrors, built, of course, in imitation of the French Versailles. And also visit the personal apartments of the Savoy dynasty, which owned the palace for a hundred years. Also, part of the former royal chambers is given over to an art gallery with an excellent collection of 17th-century paintings - also, as you understand, baroque. Another “trick” of the palace is the same hanging garden with exotic plants, which faces the sea. While walking along it, pay attention to the pebble paths with beautiful mosaics depicting sea horses and other strange animals.

Church of Santo Stefano

Church of Santo Stefano

The main street of the city is Ferrari Square (Piazza De Ferrari). It received its name thanks to Duke Raphael de Ferrari (Raffaele De Ferrari). This is how the Genoese immortalized the famous diplomat, financier and benefactor.

In 1936, Piazza De Ferrari was installed big fountain round shape - Fontana di Piaggio. They named it after the family that sponsored the construction. Behind the fountain is the former Stock Exchange building.

Plaza de Ferrari

Plaza San Matteo

Teatro Carlo Felice

Monument to Garibaldi In front of the opera house in 1879, a bronze monument depicting Giuseppe Garibaldi on horseback was erected (Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument).

Church of San Pietro in Banki

Doge's Palace The Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), which is known as the Doge's Palace, is the oldest building in the square. The main facade is located on Piazza Matteotti, while the side wall faces Piazza Ferrari. They lived in the Doge's house until the end of the eighteenth century, until Bonaparte abolished this position.

The landmark was built at the beginning of the thirteenth century, during the heyday of Genoa, by order of ship captains Oberto Spinola and Corrado Doria. They purchased several houses, ordered them to be demolished and a new building erected in their place. Then a palace with a tower located next to the building was added to it. In 1339, the first Doge of Genoa, Simon Boccanegra, settled in the palace.

Since then, Palazzo Ducale has been rebuilt many times, so it combines styles from different eras. It consists of several buildings, inside of which there are a huge number of galleries, elegant courtyards, passages, and towers. Marble columns, arched vaults, and a monumental staircase attract attention. There are Great and Small Council Halls, a chapel, and a prison where violinist Niccolò Paganini languished for some time. Now the Ducal Palace is a museum. Exhibitions, cultural events, and meetings at the highest level are constantly held here.

Museum of Oriental Art (Museo d'Arte Orientale Edoardo Chiossone). Fifteen thousand exhibits collected by Edoardo Chiossone are stored here. He lived and died in Japan, and bequeathed to send the exhibits he collected to his homeland. At first, the collection was housed in the Ligustica di Belle Arti Academy: the exhibition opened in 1905. Forty years later, the authorities decided to build a special building for the oriental exhibits. So in 1971, Villa di Negro (Villetta Di Negro) appeared - a building built in an avant-garde style in the middle of an existing park. On the ground floor of the building they made a rectangular hall, and along the walls there are galleries connected by flights of stairs. A terrace was installed on the roof. Since then, the collection has been replenished several times, and therefore is one of the largest collections in Europe. Here you can see Japanese Buddhist sculptures, bronze bells, mirrors, and artifacts created before our era. Weapons, armor, and metal sculptures are interesting.

The Archaeological Museum of Liguria (Museo di Archeologia Ligure) is located in the Villa Durazzo Pallavicini at Via Pallavicini. The villa was built in the mid-nineteenth century by the architect Michele Canzio, who worked on the scenery at the Carlo Felice Theater. It houses exhibits from prehistoric times to the period of the Roman Empire, which were found in the lands of Liguria. The Egyptian collection and the Roman collection of marble products are also interesting.

The villa is surrounded by a park. This is the botanical garden of the Marquise of Durazzo, where orchids, camellias, palm trees, bananas, and ferns grow. There is an area intended for aquatic plants. An interesting greenhouse, the shape of which resembles a train. Many carnivorous plants grow here.

Church of Santa Maria di Castello

They built a church on a hill instead of a destroyed Roman fortress in 900 AD. In the twelfth century the basilica was rebuilt. When three centuries later it began to belong to the Dominicans, a monastery appeared near the temple. And if the Church of Santa Maria di Castello looks modest from the outside, beauty is hidden inside. There are stunning sculptures, frescoes, paintings, relief images, paintings by great masters. Among them are Francesco Maria Schiaffino, Francesco Boccaccino, Lorenzo Fasolo.

You can also see majolica (the so-called type of painted ceramics made from baked clay). On the upper tier there is a marble ark, whose authorship is attributed to Domenico Gagini. The most important relic of the Church of Santa Maria di Castello is considered to be the sculpture of Christ, the so-called. Cristo Moro, which was brought here from Palestine. It is made of dark wood, the cross is replaced by the Tree of Life. Recently the statue was restored and it regained its original appearance.

The Pope consecrated the basilica back in 1118; construction lasted three centuries, which is why the building, conceived in the Romanesque style, acquired other features. The façade of the church is an example of French Gothic architecture. It has three entrances, lined with two-color marble, which symbolized the nobility and emphasized nobility.

Cathedral of San Lorenzo The temple was named in honor of the martyr St. Lorenzo, who died by death, at whose burial place a chapel was first erected, and at the beginning of the twelfth century they began to build a cathedral.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, with its characteristic striped facade, is the main temple of the city, as well as the religious center of Genoa and the whole of Liguria. Before him, on this site there were Roman fortifications, a cemetery, as well as two other Christian churches - first St. Sir, and then the Twelve Apostles. The main building of the new cathedral was built in the 12th century. But, as usual, over the course of several centuries San Lorenzo was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded. By the 17th century, the main work was completed. By the way, the inside of the cathedral is also striped: plates of black marble beautifully alternate with white ones.

Once inside, you should pay attention to the frescoes on the walls and ceiling. Their time span and varied style are simply amazing. Thus, the earliest ones relate to the imitation of famous Byzantine models (XIV century), and the latest ones - to the divisionist style of the early 20th century (Gaetano Previati, “The Ascension of the Virgin”). Thousands of pilgrims flock to San Lorenzo every year, because it is here that the sarcophagus with the relics of John the Baptist, delivered by Genoese merchants in 1098, is kept. True, you cannot touch the relics - they are placed inside the altar of the chapel.

Inside the cathedral there are columns, paintings, frescoes, statues of famous masters. The church has a chapel of St. John the Baptist (Giovanni Battista), decorated with statues of masters of the 15th-16th centuries. The relics of the saint are kept here.

In the basement of the temple there is a treasury-museum, which was founded in the middle of the last century. Here you can see various shrines. Among them is a plate on which Salome was presented with the severed head of John the Baptist in gratitude for her dance. Also kept here is the cup from which, according to legend, Jesus drank at the Last Supper (the relic was brought here in the tenth century).

Palazzo Rosso got its name from the amazing red color of the walls. The museum appeared here thanks to the last owner of the building, who donated it to the city along with a collection of works of art. In addition to paintings, visitors are eager to see the frescoes decorating the walls of the palace. Anthony Van Dyck worked in Genoa for several years, so it is not surprising that the portraits he painted of the Brignole family, then the richest in the city, ended up in this worthy collection of paintings.

Also here you can see paintings by Durer, Veronese, Palma the Elder, Guido Reni, as well as works by representatives of the Baroque Genoese school and paintings by Spanish and Dutch authors of the 13th-16th centuries. Plus a collection of Chinese porcelain and French faience.

Palazzo Bianco

This luxurious palace belonged to the most famous families of Genoa, starting with Grimaldi and ending with Brignole-Sale. Luca Grimaldi supervised its construction in 1530-1540. More than a hundred years later, it was bought by another rich Genoese family - the De Franchis. At the beginning of the 18th century, the palazzo passed to the main creditors of the bankrupt De Franchis - the Brignole-Sale family, who carried out its large-scale reconstruction

As a result, the facade was decorated with white decor, and the palazzo has since been called “Bianco” (that is, “White Palace”). Its last owner, Maria Brignole-Sale, bequeathed it to the people at the end of the 19th century. Thus, Palazzo Bianco became a museum that collected an outstanding collection of Western European paintings. Here there was a place for baroque and reverent paintings by artists of the Genoese school - Strozzi, Castiglione, Magnasco. There are harsh and strict Spaniards - Zurbaran, Murillo, Ribera. Well, the main attraction is the masterpieces of Caravaggio, Memling, Van Dyck, Rubens and Veronese.

Church of St. Nicholas

Teatro Carlo Felice is the main theater of Genova, built on the site of a former monastery complex and the temple of San Domenico. The opening of the attraction took place in 1828. The name of the opera house immortalized the ruler of Genoa, Duke Carlo Felice di Savoia. For forty winters, Giuseppe Verdi staged plays here. Teatro Carlo Felice is considered one of the most spacious in Europe: it can accommodate two thousand spectators.

Botanical Garden Biosphere (La Biosfera). It is a huge glass sphere, inside of which an imitation is placed tropical forest. Not only do plants grow here, but birds, iguanas, butterflies, and parrots also live here. Piranhas live in the stream.

Biosphere and Bigo

The panoramic elevator "Bigo" is an attraction in the Old Port of Genoa, opened, like the "Biosphere", on the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by the most famous Genoese - Christopher Columbus. Architecturally, the elevator is a system of metal structures made of pipes, winches and cables, which should resemble the port cranes that once unloaded and loaded ships entering the port. In technical terms, the elevator is a lift for people, which in its round cabin will lift you to a height of about forty meters. From the height of the climb there is a panoramic all-round view of the port and old town. The elevator is completely safe

The old port is of interest to tourists. There is a thousand-year-old lighthouse, a huge city aquarium, a Maritime Museum, and the Biosphere botanical garden. After the filming of Roman Polanski's film "Pirates", a three-masted frigate was left here, attracting the attention of both children and adults. The maritime museum is also interesting Mediterranean Sea, whose exhibits tell the entire history of navigation, from rowing boats to modern ships.

The La Lanterna lighthouse is located a fifteen-minute walk from the Dinegro metro station. This is the symbol of the city and the highest lighthouse in the Mediterranean: the height of La Lanterna is 77 m, and 375 steps lead up. It is also very old: the history of the lighthouse began in 1128. Lanterna was built on San Benigno Hill, far beyond the city limits, and it illuminated the way for ships coming from France. To keep the fire going, keepers used firewood, mostly dry juniper. Money for the maintenance of the lighthouse and maintenance of its work was allocated by the Genoese from the fee they took from ships for mooring in the port of the city. Two centuries later, the Genoese installed a lamp on the tower that ran on olive oil. Thanks to this, the ships could see the light of the lighthouse better. The lighthouse not only illuminated the road, but also served as a defensive fortification in the struggle between clans. And therefore he was often under siege. That is why, in 1326, the inhabitants of Genoa dug a protective trench around the tower to reduce the likelihood of any of the warring parties entering the lighthouse

At the beginning of the fifteenth century, Lanterna was rebuilt, after which the lighthouse also became a prison. Here, the Cypriot king Jean II de Lusignan (French: Jean II de Lusignan) and his wife were held hostage, who unsuccessfully tried to free Cyprus from Genoese trade dependence. During the war with the French, the lighthouse was severely damaged, but already in 1543 the Genoese restored the tower. In the seventeenth century, the lighthouse was included in the gradually expanding city. In the eighteenth century, rotating Fresnel lenses were installed on it. At the beginning of the twentieth century, electricity was installed here. The last major reconstruction was carried out after the end of the Second World War, during which the lighthouse was severely damaged. Now next to the tower there is a museum where you can get acquainted with the history of the city, the port, and see objects and archives related to maritime navigation. Among the exhibits are Fennel lenses, by studying which you can understand how the lighthouse works.

This is a copy of a 17th century Spanish ship, which was specially built for the film “Pirates” by the famous director Roman Polanski. The film was released back in 1986. After filming, the ship was left in Genoa.

The port of Genoa is located between northern Italy and Southern Europe. That is why it is very convenient for sailors, businessmen, and politicians. The port stretches along the coast for twenty-two kilometers and has four entrances: eastern, western, Multedo and Voltri. There are many terminals here, each of which is designed to receive ships of a certain type. The port has berths for both cargo and passenger ships and private vessels.

The Galata Maritime Museum (Galata Museo del Mare) is located in the Old Port. The exhibition center covers an area of ​​10 thousand m2, and therefore it is one of the largest museums in the Mediterranean. Among the exhibits are reconstructions of shipyards from the Middle Ages, ship models, navigation maps, and instruments. There are globes, paintings, ancient weapons and even monsters from medieval books. The tour is accompanied by visual and sound effects that convey the atmosphere of this place. Much attention is paid to Christopher Columbus, a native of these lands.

Monastery of St. Andrew, what remains

Columbus House (Casa di Colombo). Although it is not known exactly where the great navigator was born, the Genoese believe that Christopher Columbus lived here until 1470 (born in 1451). The house itself is not particularly impressive and looks a little gloomy. The attraction is a two-story building covered with ivy. People are allowed inside only by special arrangement or on the twelfth of October, the day of World Columbus Day. In earlier times, the Columbus House was three stories high. There were three rooms on each tier. On the ground floor, Christophor's father set up a workshop: he ran a weaving workshop. The remaining floors were at the disposal of the family. In the seventeenth century, the building was almost completely destroyed when the French shelled the city, but the Genoese restored the house. Inside the building there are fragments of walls that survived from the beginning of construction, and in the basement archaeologists discovered the foundation of a building dating back to the sixth century.

Palace of Andrea Doria (Palazzo di Andrea Doria), also known as the Princely Villa (Villa del Principe). Previously, it was located outside the city walls, and only over time it found itself within the city. The house was built by Andrea Doria, who was popular among the Genoese and was elected Doge in 1528. Also, for his services, he received the title of prince, which is why the house was nicknamed princely. The palace looked magnificent, it was decorated with sculptures, frescoes, and tapestries. The house was so luxurious that even Emperor Charles V stayed here. Now there is a museum here. They built a house at the foot of a hill near the sea.

The main staircase is decorated with geometric designs and grotesque paintings. On the walls of the rooms there are paintings, stucco moldings, paintings. Antique furniture and interior elements are everywhere. The Golden Gallery was used for audiences. In it you can see gilded wooden sculptures and family portraits.

In front of the building is a park arranged in Italian style. You can enter it from the house through an arched gallery. In the middle of the park is a fountain with a sculpture of Neptune, which appeared here at the end of the sixteenth century. Previously, through the garden you could go down to the sea, where Andrea Doria had a private pier. Now there is a highway between the house and the sea, and the marine terminal is located nearby.

Palace of San Giorgio

The Corso Italia embankment is one of the important transport-connecting and city-forming streets in Genoa. The embankment appeared at the beginning of the last century as a result of work to expand the city. Today, the embankment stretches along the coast in the Albaro region for more than two kilometers, connecting the Foz district and the coastal village of Boccadasse. Corso Italia is a favorite meeting and walking place for citizens and guests of the city.

Marine Station

The Villetta di Negro park surrounds the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art. In front of its entrance there is a statue dedicated to Giuseppe Mazzini. The park is located on a hill, so there are many paths leading up. Tourists who come here from the noisy streets of the city seem to find themselves in another world: there are grottoes with waterfalls, clean air, aviaries with exotic birds. From the hill there is a view of Genoa and the lush vegetation of the park (palm trees, cedar, sequoias, pine trees).

The park appeared thanks to Marquis Gian Carlo Di Negro, who at the beginning of the nineteenth century built a villa on a hill overlooking Piazza Corvetto. Near the villa there was a botanical park, where gazebos, artificial ponds, and a waterfall were installed. When the Marquis died, the city acquired the villa and park from his heirs in order to build several museums there.

Mackenzie Castle is a five-story mansion built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and is one of the most successful examples of eclecticism, combining architectural features of Gothic and Mannerism. A castle was erected for a wealthy Floretian and insurer of Scottish origin, Evan Mackenzie. For most of the second half of the last century, the castle, after a series of changes of owners, was in disrepair, until 2002 when it was acquired and restored by the Cambi auction house. Today the mansion is not only the residence of the auction house, but also a private museum with space for temporary exhibitions.

The Museum of World Cultures, located in the Castle d'Albertis, owes its creation to sea captain Enrico Alberto d'Albertis. He traveled extensively in Africa, Oceania, America and Asia. From there he brought ritual objects, dishes and household items used by the natives. At first it was a private collection, but after d’Albertis’ death in 1932, the castle was transferred to the ownership of the state and was named the Museum of World Cultures. The entire collection was divided into several rooms: Colombian, Turkish, Gothic and so on. Later, the Palace also housed the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments.

Castle d'Albertis

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Construction in Genoa architectural masterpiece, called the Doge's Palace, began in the 13th century, during highest point political power of the city, when Genoa became the mistress of the Mediterranean Sea, managing to take control of both the water and the land around it.

Military victories of Genoa

This was facilitated by high-profile victories, such as, for example, the naval battle of Meloria in 1284, in which Genoa defeated the Pisan fleet. Or the defeat of the Armada of Venice near the island of Curzola at the very end of the same century.

Shortly before the last battle, captains Obizzo Spinola and Corrado Doria acquired several buildings between the churches of San Lorenzo and San Matteo. In 1294, the nearby Fieschi Palace was also purchased, whose owners were in exile at that time. This house was confiscated from those who were formerly called the Counts of Lavagna and had been in the General Comania since 1138.

History of the palace

This building passed to a certain Hugo, whose nickname Flisko later became the surname for the founders of the dynasty. Hugo expanded his trade and opened a bank, but never came to the fore in politics, keeping in the shadow of his other compatriots. The Fieschi willingly became related to the Guelphs and even joined this party, but did not break business ties with the Ghibellines, for which they paid the price during the next change of power in Genoa.

Left without owners, the palace was empty for a long time and fell into disrepair. The people's captains decided not to restore the building, but to demolish it. They cleared the construction site for a new building, which later became Doge's Palace V .

Restructuring and reconstruction

Doge's Palace, where he moved in in 1339 Simon Boccanegra, mostly disappeared after alterations in the 16th century. The new building turned out to be very impressive and solid. In the last decade of the 16th century, it was significantly expanded, gaining a covered vestibule and additional buildings that formed a courtyard.

Participation of great artists and architects in the creation of the Palace

A monumental staircase by Andrea Ceresola, nicknamed Vannole, leads to the ceremonial rooms of the Doge's Palace, where foreign ambassadors were received.

The hand of this master can also be seen in the interior of the halls of the Great and Small Councils of the Doge's Palace. Next to these premises there were also the working quarters of the republic's leaders. The palace was partially rebuilt after the fire of 1777.

The Great Council Hall underwent major changes, during which its original interior was lost. But a century later, the hall was painted with wonderful frescoes Giuseppe Isola.

Numerous reconstructions of the Doge's Palace have greatly changed its appearance. The building, which was previously lost among city buildings, in its modern version began to look like a luxurious estate in the city center. Today huge complex The palace serves for folk festivities, and also as a venue various exhibitions in Genoa.

Doge's Palace on the map

Palazzo Ducale in Genoa is a palace built for the rulers of the Republic of Genoa in the second half of the 13th century. Its architecture is asymmetrical due to numerous galleries, courtyards, passages and towers added to it over several hundred years, but at the same time the ensemble looks harmonious. A special feature of the building is its two facades, one of which faces Piazza Felice, and the second faces Piazza Matteotti. After a devastating fire in 1777, the palace was completely rebuilt in the neoclassical style.

Now the Palazzo Ducale functions as a museum. In it, visitors can explore the halls of the Great and Small Councils, skillfully painted by masters of the past, a chapel decorated with frescoes by Domenico Fiazella and Giovanni Battista Carlone, and a prison in which Niccolò Paganini was kept for some time. The museum regularly hosts various cultural events and organizes art exhibitions. At the same time, the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa continues to play the role of an administrative center; periodic meetings at the highest level are held here.

Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) on the map

Type: Historical property (castle, palace, ruins, etc.) Address: Piazza Matteotti 9, 16123 Genova, Italy. Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, 9.00-19.00. Cost: admission is free, during special events - paid (price is determined by the organizers). How to get there: travel to Ferrari metro station; trolleybuses No. 20, 30, buses No. 20, 035, 36, 606, 620, 635, 641, N1, N2 to the De Ferrari stop. Website.

The luxury and splendor of Genoa covers newcomers literally from the first steps. And the Brignole station itself looks like a palace.

Brignole Station

The city has two main stations: Brignole (Genova Brignole) in the east and Piazza Principe (Genova Piazza Principe) in the west, between them there is about an hour's walk, and the city center is located between them. In 1972, the stations were connected - a tunnel was made in the mountain, so that now, arriving, say, from San Remo at the western station of Piazza Principe, you can go from there further along the eastern coast of Liguria.

Via XX Settembre, which carries admiring travelers from Brignole station to the center, displays its magnificent facades on high arches, where each house competes with its neighbors. Galleries line both sides of the street and lead out to the vast and sun-drenched Piazza de Ferrari with a fountain in the center.

Decor elements

Piazza de Ferrari looks solemn and pompous, surrounded by beautiful buildings, among which the oval facade of the Stock Exchange stands out.

Plaza de Ferrari

And right there, in the midst of all this pomp, in front of the Carlo Felice Theater, right under the monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, two tourist tents were erected. The legs of the sleeping people even stick out from one of them. Nobody pays attention. Well, people decided to spend the night in tents on central square cities, what is it?

Tents in front of the Carlo Felice Opera House

And then we seem to have to move towards the Doge's Palace, but such a tempting narrow street goes down that we start along it and find ourselves in the small cozy square of San Matteo in front of the Church of San Matteo. The church also seems small compared to the surrounding palaces, but inside it is just a casket with jewelry. This area with palaces belonged to the famous Genoese family of Doria.

Church of San Matteo

Inside the Church of San Matteo

From Piazza San Matteo there is a labyrinth of so-called “carugia” - narrow streets of the Old Town, separating high - 4-5 floors - houses.

One of the "karugi"

But we took the next alley back to Piazza Matteotti, to the Doge's Palace, or Palazzo Ducale. (The Doges ruled the Republic of Genoa from 1339 to 1797).

A little further into Piazza Matteotti stands the Church of Jesus, which contains works by Rubens. The first thing we did was go there.

Church of Jesus in Piazza Matteotti

Inside the Church of Jesus in Piazza Matteotti

Meanwhile, around the Palazzo Ducale it was becoming more and more lively. People were coming. The poster said that an exhibition of Edvard Munch was being held at the Doge's Palace, but, as it turned out, it was not this event that mainly attracted the public, but the festival of pesto, a sauce beloved by Italians.

Genoese Doge's Palace

The public was milling around the halls of the palace, waiting for the action, and in the huge main hall (where I stuck my nose in) the cooks were making their final preparations.

Inside the Doge's Palace. The public is hungry for pesto

Final preparations

We did not wait for the start of the holiday, because we wanted to be in time for the main church of Genoa, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, before the siesta began. Oh, that notorious Italian siesta!

And it’s very good that we were in a hurry - we just made it.

The square in front of the cathedral is crowded, musicians play here, children run around. To view the Cathedral of San Lorenzo from the outside, you need to move to the far end of the square. Its right tower is high, the left is level with the ridge. Along the façade there are three deeply depressed portals. You can look at the portals alone for a long time, the capitals of their columns, the inlaid stone. Lots of colorful marble decorated with carvings. The facade of San Lorenzo is black and white striped, as is common in Northern Italy.

Basilica of San Lorenzo - the cathedral of Genoa

On the steps of the cathedral

Central portal of San Lorenzo

Inlaid columns

Inside there are also black and white stripes on the arches. The cathedral is gloomy and luxurious. Its space, divided into three narrow, high naves, seems squeezed and directed upward. Columns support a two-tier arcade. The cathedral's Treasury contains the ark containing the ashes of John the Baptist and the cup from which Jesus is believed to have drunk at the Last Supper.

Inside the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Along another narrow street we came to another small square - the piazza delle Scuole Pie (Pious School), where, surrounded by palaces, stood a small church - another casket with jewelry.

Church of the School of Piety on the square of the same name

Inside the church

And now we go out to the sea. The embankment is as wide as a square. There's a freeway running over it, that's for sure. spoils the view. Palm trees are planted along the edge of the embankment.

Embankment

From the line of houses lined up along the sea, Palazzo San Giorgio stands one step forward - a bright building with a facade decorated with frescoes. In the central fresco, St. George pierces a dragon.

Palazzo San Giorgio

Fresco on the facade

The front part of the building faces the sea. The back of the Palace of San Giorgio resembles a medieval fortress with narrow loophole windows and battlements along the upper edge.

Rear of Palazzo San Giorgio

The palace housed the main bank of the Genoese Republic. By the way, the Genoese Republic had a second name: the Republic of St. George. The flag of the Republic of Genoa is a red cross on a white background - the cross of St. George.

The Palazzo San Giorgio is now occupied by the Port Authority of Genoa.

There are numerous fish restaurants along the embankment. We went into one of them and ordered mixed seafood and a glass of white wine.

My first acquaintance with the Italian region of Liguria occurred in September 2013, when I visited places located in the south of this province. The impression was so enthusiastic that I definitely wanted to visit the capital of Liguria - Genoa. This happy event happened in April 2014.

In my perception, Genoa has many positive features. It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea (this coast is the Ligurian Riviera), framed by the Apennine Mountains. Genoa has a long, eventful history, which I will briefly discuss below. The city is replete with beautiful sights and spectacular but not intrusive landscapes. Genoa harmoniously combines space and comfort; there are many wide embankments, squares and esplanades, as well as narrow streets and secluded cozy places. All this guarantees an interesting and relaxing pastime.

Thanks to its glorious past and impressive landscapes, Genoa is nicknamed La Superba, which means "Excellent", "Majestic".

Toponym "Genoa". Brief information about the history of Genoa

The origin of the name “Genoa” is explained by different versions: 1) Celtic GENUA – “entrance, passage”; 2) Kainua (Etruscan) - new city; 3) Janua – gate, door; 4) Latin GENUS (gonu) - “knee”, by analogy with the bend of the seashore, reminiscent of a knee - this version is given in the English Wikipedia; 5) Latin JANUS (Giano), named after the two-faced god, looking forward and backward, into the future and into the past.

Finally (in my opinion, the most likely version), 6) the ancient Celtic word Genaua means “mouth, mouth,” since the city was founded at the spill of the Bisanio mountain stream, on the shores of the Ligurian Sea. Archaeological excavations indicate that a Celtic-Ligurian settlement was founded here in the Iron Age. Genaua was perceived by the Etruscans as Genova, which is how it is written in Italian. And in the Ligurian dialect, Genoa is called Zena, and this word can often be seen in the city on posters, bags, etc. The name “Genoa” entered the Russian language, apparently, from the German Genua.

In ancient times, Genoa was part of the Roman state. After the collapse of Rome, having survived a period of unrest under barbarian tribes, from the 10th century Genoa began to turn into a major seaport. By the beginning of the 12th century, Genoa became an independent city-state, formally subordinate to the Holy Roman Empire. The Genoese Republic was ruled by a merchant and aristocratic elite. The 13th century was the era of the peak of Genoa’s power, when for some time it controlled almost the entire Mediterranean and even had colonies in the Northern Black Sea region (Crimea, Taman). Subsequently, internal strife began to have a negative impact. By the middle of the 15th century, the republic finally lost its status as a great power. However, a change in the system of power and an alliance with Spain, which became the largest colonial empire, contributed to the fact that at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries, Genoa became one of the most prosperous lands in Italy and carried out large construction projects. But this period of prosperity also came to an end in the 18th century, due to the catastrophic weakening of Spain's inefficient economy. At the end of the 18th century, Napoleon liquidated the Genoese Republic. Since 1815, Genoa has been part of Piedmont (that is, the Kingdom of Sardinia). In subsequent decades, including thanks to the creation of a unified Italian state, Genoa became the main port of Italy. By the beginning of the 20th century, Genoa was already able to challenge Marseille for the title of the busiest port in the entire Mediterranean.

Old Port

I’ll start my story about the sights of Genoa from the port. It was here, figuratively speaking, that the seeds of Genoa’s prosperity were sown from ancient times. Now the port consists of different parts, among which tourists are most attracted by the old one - Porto Antico. By the way, in the center of the Old Port there is a tourist information point (small kiosk), where you can get a free map of the city. I recommend that you definitely get one, since the layout of Genoa is quite complex, and, in my opinion, it is simply unrealistic to navigate without a map.

Despite its name, the Old Port is a complex complex of structures from different times. In 1992, the architect Renzo Piano renovated the Old Port, adding several prominent objects. Among them:

● The aquarium is the second largest in Europe after the Aquarium in Valencia:

I visited it and without hesitation I recommend that all guests of Genoa follow my example, as this will certainly guarantee a lot of positive emotions. For example, penguins cannot help but arouse sympathy:

By the way, from the roof of the Aquarium you can take wonderful panoramic photographs of Genoa and the port:

● The Bolla Glass Sphere is a garden showcasing the wide biodiversity of the tropics.

● The panoramic elevator “Il Bigo” consists of several arrows and is shaped like a spider (this is a reminder of port cranes). An elevator travels along the longest (40 meters) boom, delivering to observation deck. It must be interesting and visual there, but taking photographs through glass seemed impractical to me, and I gave up the idea of ​​visiting this site.

● The Neptune Galleon is a replica of a 17th-century Spanish ship, which was specially built for the 1986 film “Pirates” by the famous director Roman Polanski. After filming, the ship was left in Genoa. For a small fee you can visit this ship.

It's nice to stroll along the picturesque promenade of the Old Port:

Walk through historical center Genoa

From the Old Port I will take a walk-tour through the historical center of Genoa. The first and exceptionally striking attraction that comes across on the way is the Palace of San Giorgio (Palazzo San Giorgio):

This cake-like palace is one of the most important buildings in Genoa and has been designated an Italian National Monument. Within its walls was located the first (or one of the first) banks in the world. The palace was built in 1260 by the patrician Guglielmo Bocanegra and was intended as the first city hall. During the construction, some parts of the Venetian embassy destroyed in Constantinople, transferred to the Genoese, were used Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos as gratitude for the assistance provided in the fight against the Latin Empire. Since the end of the 13th century, San Giorgio was used for a long time as a prison, and one of its famous prisoners was the Venetian Marco Polo. It was here that, in collaboration with Rusticolo, he wrote the famous book about his remarkable journey. In the 16th century, the palace became a bank, and its walls were covered with wonderful paintings. In the 19th century, San Giorgio was in poor condition, and even the question of its demolition was raised, however, fortunately, the townspeople did not allow this wicked plan to come true. Since 1903, the administration of the Old Port has been located here.

As you move on, you get pleasure simply by turning your head back and forth; Interesting views come across at every step. For example, the Loggia dei Mercanti shopping establishment:

The following sculptural decorations of religious content are popular (especially often dedicated to the Madonna, whose cult is most widespread in Italy):

In the historical center of Genoa, you can often find so-called campos - small enclosed squares surrounded by residential buildings and with the obligatory presence of a church (churches, by the way, usually have a very rich interior):

This type of development in some places creates a feeling close to claustrophobia (I'm kidding, of course). But there are streets in the old part of Genoa that are really very narrow:

Next, I’ll show you the Doge’s Palace (by the way, there was an exhibition of paintings by the artist Edvard Munch there - it’s interesting how the Doges would react to such art):

The building is quite modest in comparison with the Doge's Palace in. The institution of doge power in Genoa was much less significant than in its rival Venice. The first Doge was not elected until 1339; this position was abolished in 1797 (at the same time as Venice). The building was originally built between 1251 and 1275; in the XVI and XVIII centuries Large-scale reconstruction and restoration work took place (especially after the fire of 1777, when the Palace was almost completely destroyed). The Palace was reconstructed again in 1992 in connection with the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America.

Not far from the Doge's Palace there is a beautiful building of the Jesuit Church of Jesus and Saints Ambrose and Andrew (Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea):

The church has existed here since ancient times - back in the 6th century AD. The current appearance is from the 16th century, when the church was rebuilt by the Jesuits who arrived in Genoa.

The main church of Genoa is also located near the Doge's Palace. This Cathedral St. Lawrence (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo):

According to legend, it was here that St. Lawrence was killed and buried. The cathedral was consecrated in 1118, although construction was completed only in the 14th century. The fact that the bell tower belongs to the facade is a feature of French Gothic. To build the Cathedral, craftsmen from France were invited to make it striped, since during the Middle Ages such stripes were a symbol of nobility and were often used in the construction of Genoese churches. The Franco-Norman style is characteristic of the three portals of the Cathedral (the main portal is named after St. Lawrence, the side ones are named after St. John and Gotthard). Above the main gate one can discern the figure of Christ (the Judge), and below - the suffering of St. Lawrence, roasted alive on an iron grate.

In 1944, Genoa suffered significantly from British air raids. During one of the services in the Cathedral, a bomb broke through the roof and fell on the marble floor of the Cathedral without exploding. Considering what happened to be a miracle of the Lord, and the temple a Holy place, the clergy decided to leave the shell as a symbol of God’s Sign.

The entrance to the Cathedral is guarded by a rather melancholy-looking lion:

A remarkable structure has been preserved in Genoa from the Middle Ages - the Soprana Gate (Porta Soprana). On the outside the towers have a round shape:

The inner side of the tower is square:

The Soprano Gate was part of the defensive fortifications of Genoa and was built in the mid-12th century under the influence of difficult relations with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

I finish this part of the walk through the historical center of Genoa with a view of Piazza di Ferrari:

This is the main square of Genoa, located between the old city and the modern business center. In the middle of the square there is a fountain from 1936. The square got its name from the nearby house of Duke and philanthropist Raphael de Ferrari in 1887. Manifestations of citizens and festive concerts take place here. The side facade of the Doge's Palace, the Church of Jesus, the Palazzo Exchange (built in 1912 - it was almost in the center in my photo) and the main city theater Carlo Felice overlook the square.

Palaces of the Genoese patricians

Garibaldi Street

One of the outstanding attractions of Genoa (more precisely, a group of attractions) are the so-called Rolli Palaces (Palazzi dei Rolli), or Palaces from the list. They received this name due to the fact that, by order of the Senate of the Genoese Republic, all houses of noble Genoese families must be taken into account and included in a special list according to certain criteria: importance, beauty and size. These houses had the honor of receiving various foreign delegations within their walls according to their level. Only a few palaces had the honor of receiving the emperor, king, pope and other dignitaries. More modest palaces were content with less important guests. The Rolli palaces were built in the 16th century, during the heyday of Genoa. The final list was compiled in 1664 and included about 150 palaces, most of which survive to this day. I examined two groups of Rolli's palaces from the outside.

The first group is located on Garibaldi Street, about 250 meters long. The name is somewhat strange for such a place; until 1882 the street was called Strada Nuova, and even earlier Strada Maggiore (I really didn’t like the fact that the street was named after Garibaldi). It should be noted that the street is quite narrow, as Charles Dickens noted in “Pictures of Italy”:

Will I ever be able to forget the streets of the palaces - Strada Nuova and Balbi! Especially Strada Nuova on a sunny summer day, when I first saw it under the brightest and bluest cloudless summer sky, which, in the gap between the vast buildings, looked like a narrow precious strip of bright light looking down into a thick impenetrable shadow.

I couldn’t photograph the palaces in their entirety (this requires special photographic equipment and a special place for shooting), so I’ll show you a few of the fragments that most interested me:

In some places you can enter the front vestibule, and in this case I immediately noted the coat of arms with the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire:

Beautiful gallery on the second tier of the Palazzo Tursi building:

An impressive sculpture of some military leader:

I liked the coat of arms with marching lions - one with a tree, the other with a cross (decorating the Palazzo Rosso):

Balbi street

The second group (in a smaller number) of Rolli's palaces is located on Balbi Street. Among them, the most significant is Royal Palace(Palazzo Reale):

The palace was built in the 17th century. In 1823 it was sold to the King of the Savoy dynasty and began to be used as official residence. This dynasty is indicated by a carriage with a coat of arms:

Opposite the Palazzo Reale is the building of the University, founded in 1481. I photographed an elegant heraldic image on one of the University buildings:

Naval station, its surroundings and the Columbus monument

I will return to the port part of Genoa. About 15–20 minutes walk from the Old Port is the Marine Station (Stazione Marittima):

This is a historically important place for Genoa, Liguria and all of Northern Italy, because from here they went to America in search of better life numerous Italian emigrants. The current building was built in 1914–1930. And now they come here big ships- real floating cities:

Let me draw your attention to how difficult the terrain in Genoa is - walking on it certainly requires extraordinary endurance. The peripheral quarters of the city quickly climb up along a series of terraces:

My main purpose of walking in the area of ​​​​the Marine Station was to look for a monument to the great traveler Christopher Columbus. I didn’t know exactly where he was and was counting on luck. And so it happened. Having reached the Main railway station, I found what I was looking for:

It is curious that there is no completely reliable information that Columbus was actually a Genoese; Moreover, six cities in Italy and Spain (!) dispute the honor of being his homeland. And yet, the least objectionable is the version that he was born in Genoa or another city of the Genoese Republic. In Genoa they even show some nondescript house where Columbus was allegedly born (it is believed that he came from a poor family). One way or another, if Genoa was his homeland, it was not a very caring one. The fate of the navigator for Columbus was formed thanks to Spain, but Genoa paid tribute in the form of a monument much later. But the monument is undoubtedly beautiful, including the bas-relief scenes on it:

Also in the area of ​​the Marine Station, the Princely Palace (Palazzo del Principe) located opposite deserves attention. The building itself did not seem particularly outstanding to me (in my opinion, the large, imposing houses behind it are more impressive), but the beautiful garden was memorable:

In fact, this is not a palace, but a villa; built in 1530. It is noteworthy that the villa served as the residence of Admiral Andrea Doria - a man whose role in the history of Genoa is difficult to overestimate. In 1528 he liberated Genoa from the French and restored the republic; established the rule of the principate; immigrants from the Holy Roman Empire began to serve in government structures; the power of the groups that previously controlled certain areas of the city was eliminated; The power of the doges was limited, the term of their official duties was reduced from life to two years. Under Andrea Doria, money flowed like a river into Genoa, which ensured the construction of not only the Princely Villa, but also all of Rolli's palaces. Nowadays the villa is a museum.

Also, being in the area of ​​the Marine Station, it is worth looking at the D’Albertis Castle (Castello D’Albertis). I didn’t have enough time to get close to it (you need to climb quite high), so I took a photo from afar:

The castle was built in 1886–1892 (the completion was specially planned for the 400th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America). Onc is a mixture of architectural styles: here you can find elements of the castles of the Italian region of Valle d'Aosta and Florentine palaces, traces of neo-Gothic and medieval architecture are visible. Now there is an ethnographic museum there.

Arc de Triomphe, several views of Genoa from above and the Lanterna lighthouse

I remember the Arc de Triomphe on the main street of Genoa - XX September Street. It was opened in 1931 and is dedicated to the victory of Italy as a participant in the First World War (a participant, it must be said, a very weak and unlucky one; but the alliance with the Entente still provided her with the spoils of victory in the form of some territories of Austria-Hungary):

I conclude my story about a walk around Genoa with photographs taken from above (from the Villetta di Negro park located on the hill, which is a short walk from Via Garibaldi and Piazza di Ferrari):

And the last thing I want to talk about in this article is the Lantern lighthouse. In Italian, the word Lanterna means “lantern”, “lighthouse”. But if it is capitalized, it almost certainly means Genoa Lighthouse. This symbol of Genoa is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the world. The height is 117 meters, 375 steps lead to the top. The first navigation structure was erected here around 1128, and the lighthouse has had its current appearance since 1543. In 1340, the coat of arms of Genoa was painted on the lighthouse tower. In 1405, the priests who were responsible for the maintenance of the lighthouse placed frescoes on the dome of the lighthouse with images of fish and a golden cross - symbols of Christianity. Throughout history, Lanterna has been damaged many times, but it has always been stubbornly repaired. For me, Lanterna is a majestic, bright and living image of Genoa, overcoming all difficulties: