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GENOA
(GENOVA)
The ancient part is characterized
by a compact nucleus of old districts which can be visited
in the area between the port and S. Lorenzo and between Piazza
de Farrari and Via Garibaldi: these areas are famous due to
their entanglement of straight alleyways – small streets
which at one point didn’t even measure two metres in
width but were flanked by blocks of buildings as high as 8
floors – which took the characteristic name of Carugi.
Other notable characteristics of these old districts are houses
with 13th Century loggias, three-mullioned windows and quadriform,
not to mention the marmoreal decorations with bichrome marquetry.
There are notable places to visit, such as the Romanesque
Church of S. Donato and that of S. Maria Del Castello, having
Palo-Christian origins, but rebuilt in the 12th Century and
embellished during the 1400’s; the Cathedral, dedicated
to S. Lorenzo, which is the highest example of a Medieval
building in the City: with Romanesque-Gothic aspect and consecrated
in 1118. The very same medieval characteristics can be found
in Piazza S. Matteo through the Case dei Doria, which date
back from between the 13th and 18th Centuries, the small church
from 1125, dedicated to S. Matthew and containing the tomb
of the famous admiral, Andrea Doria. Via S. Luca is also noteworthy,
being one of oldest City arterials. The Palazzo S. Giorgio
dates back to the medieval period – although it contains
a Renaissance part from 1571 – being isolated and facing
the port.
The new residential area, initiated since the 16th Century,
has the present day Via Garibaldi - one of the most monumental
City roads in Italy – and Via Balbi as the two principal
roads: the area is characterized by pre-Baroque and Baroque
buildings such as Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Rosso, seats
of the homonymous Art Gallery. The Church of SS. Annuziata
is also an example of this renewed town-planning fervour,
dating back to 1591/1620 and being the most grandiose and
richest of Genoese Churches. From here, Via Balbi is in easy
reach, hosting magnificent buildings including the University
from 1634/50 and the Royal Palace which was completed in 1705.
At the end of this walk, towards the area around the railway
station, there’s also the marvellous Palazzo Doria or
of the Prince, dating back to 1547.
The Genoese cultural life in the Renaissance and Baroque courts
is testified by the presence of very famous artists such as
Luca Cambiaso, Rubens, Van Dyck, and the Architect Alessi:
a true and proper capital of art, opened to Europe thanks,
above all, to the commercial exchange undertaken by numerous
rich Genovese families.
Apart from the examples of contemporary architecture already
mentioned, a worthwhile visit would be to the Monumental Staglieno
Cemetery: one of the most beautiful Italian monumental cemeteries,
with funeral chapels containing precious and refined architectonic
parts, in a style that goes from neo-Gothic to Liberty and
ends with the contemporary period.
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Art Cities in Liguria |
Genoa |
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