Top 10 Interesting Facts about Genoa

Genoa (Italy), view from the western side of Castelletto esplanade. Author Bbrun.WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Genoa

Genoa is a port city and the capital of Northwest Italy’s Liguria region. It covers an area of 243 square kilometres. This is between the Ligurian sea and the Apennine Mountains.

The territory of Genoa is popularly divided into 5 main zones. This is the centre, the west, the east, the Polcevera and the Bisagno Valley.

Genoa has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) in the Köppen climate classification. Only one summer month has less than 40 millimetres (1.57 in) of rainfall. This prevents it from being classified as solely Mediterranean, with a special note for the Genoa low.

The sixth-largest city in Italy. Over 1.5 million people live in the wider metropolitan area stretching along the Italian Riviera.

It has been inhabited since the fifth or Fourth millennium Bc. Making it one of the oldest continuous inhabited cities in the world.

Genoa has historically been an important port in the Mediterranean. It is currently the busiest in Italy and the Mediterranean sea. Twelfth busiest in the European Union. Below are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Genoa

1. Home to the Largest Aquarium in Italy

acquario di Genova.Author Emanuela Meme. WIKIMEDIAThe Acquario di Genova is the largest aquarium in Italy found in Genoa. This is also one of the largest in Europe.

It was built in 1992 by local architect Renzo Piano. It boasts a sprawling 27,00 square metres of space. It’s an eye-catching steel-and-glass globe structure

The Aquarium has approximately 15,000 animals. The animals inhabited environments similar to their natural habitats.

It attracts more than a million visitors. The visitors get to learn about and see marine animals of all kinds. The animals are also displayed in largely natural environments.

2. The World’s Greatest Explorer was Born in Genoa

photo of the presumed house where Christophorus Columbus lived childhood in Genoa in 1455.Author Bruno Aloi. WIKIMEDIA

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451. He was an Italian Explorer and navigator. He compelled four Span-based voyages across the Atlantic Ocean sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain.

Christopher opened the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americans. His expeditions were the first known European contact with the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

Columbus donated his income from the discovery of the Americas to his hometown. His house stands as Monument in Genoa.

3. Admire the beautiful Fountain at the Main Square of Genoa

Ferrari Square, Genoa, Province of Genoa, Region of Liguria, Italy. Author Zairon – WIKIMEDIA

The main square of Genoa is the Piazza De Ferrari. It is situated in the heart of the city between the historical and the Modern centre.

The square was dedicated to the Italian banker and politician Raffaele De Ferrari, duke of Galliera. The square is about 11,000 m2 (120,000 sq ft).

Piazza De Ferrari is known for its Picturesque Fountain. The fountain was restored in recent years along with a major resting area of the square.

The bronze fountain was designed by the architect Giuseppe Crosa di Vergagni. It is one of the main symbols of the city.

4. Visit the Largest and one of the most Modern Maritime Museums in this City

Galata Museo del Mare in Genoa. Author CAPTAIN RAJU. WIKIMEDIA

The Galata – Museo del mare is a maritime museum in the Italian city of Genoa. This is the largest museum of its kind in the Mediterranean area. It is also one of the most modern in Italy.

 The museum is located on the grounds of the Porto Antico, in the Palazzo Galata (named after the ancient colony of Galata) in the Darsena district. It opened in 2004 as part of Genoa’s 2004 European Capital of Culture celebration.

The ground floor houses a reconstruction of a 17th-century Genoese gallery placed on the original slipways. The floor also has Darsena weapons with racks of knives, breastplates and helmets.

Other rooms hold portraits of Christopher Columbus and Andrea Doria. The rooms also have precious world maps and ancient portolans which can be consulted using virtual navigation.

The first and second floors are dedicated to sailing and shipyards. The third floor houses an exhibition dedicated to the era of transatlantic liners. Visitors can access the bridge of a steamship from the immigrant era.

5. Stroll the Gardens of Marvellous Parchi di Nervi

Parchi de Nervi is a large green area formed by different gardens. The gardens belonged to Vila Gropallo, Villa Saluzzo Serra, Villa Grimaldi Fassio and Luxoro.

The Parchi di Nervi is designed to recall the refined lives of the ancient aristocratic owners with English-style lawn, palm trees and many rare and precious trees, fountains, rose gardens

The entire surface has an extension of about 92,000 m2. It is located between the Via Aurelia and the sea in the Nervi delegation, east of the city centre.

Inside there are many botanical species (more than 100), including several tall evergreens as well as an important rose garden.

6. Discover Several Painting Collections at White Palace (Palazzo Bianco)

Palazzo Bianco known as the white palace in English is one of the main buildings in the centre of Genoa.

It is one of the largest city art galleries. Palazzo Bianco contains the Gallery of the white palace.

It was constructed between 1530 and 1540 by Luca Grimaldi. He was a member of the House of Grimaldi, one of the most important Genoese families.

The gallery offers a panorama of European paintings from the 12th century to the 17th century. Visitors also get a chance to explore the 16th-century paintings which include work by paolo Veronese from the Venetian school.

 Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 16th to 18th century. Moreover, notable Spanish artists’ collections of the 17th century which include Zurbaran, Murillo and Ribera.

7. One of the Unusual Things to See in Genoa is one of the most Famous Cemeteries in Italy

Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno – Genova, Piazzale Resasco. Author Danilo Cama. WIKIMEDIA

The Cimitero monumentale di Staglieno Is located on a hillside in the district of Staglieno of Genoa. This is an extensive monumental cemetery.

It is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe. It covers an area of more than a square kilometre.

Its design of arcades overflows with elaborate stone monuments. The cemetery is a must-see for anyone who admires the Art of Nouveau Sculpture and decoration.

The cemetery contains the graves of Oscar Wilde’s wife Constance Lloyd, Ferruccio Parri, Fabrizio De André, Nino Bixio, Michele Novaro, and Giuseppe Mazzini.

8. Enjoy a 360° View of the City from a Fabulous Balcony

Spianata Castelletto is a fabulous balcony suspended over the Historic centre. The balcony enables visitors to have a 360° view of the city and the port.

Riding up to it in the Art Nouveau lift is an enchanting experience. From here you can admire the rooftops made of slate, a traditional local material.

Moreover, you can see the mediaeval towers and Baroque domes. In the distance, the sea comes alive with both modern ships and ancient memories.

9. Take a boat Tour and Cruise through the Tranquil waters of Genoa Harbor and Ports

Take an about lasting about one hour and venture through one of Europe’s largest ports. Moreover, discover the harbour’s activities.

Visitors go through various ports such as Port Vecchino, Avamporyo and Nouvo. You will also have a chance to enjoy a privileged view of the city.

Some of the picturesque things to see during the boat tour are the centre’s old and modern buildings, the lighthouse and the forts strung across the hills.

10. Take a photo and Stare at the Fascinating Cathedral of San Lorenzo with different Architectural styles

The exterior of the Genoa Cathedral (San Lorenzo). Author José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro.WIKIMEDIA

The cathedral is built with a combination of gothic, baroque, renaissance and Romanesque architectural styles

However, the cathedral of san Lorenzo is identified by its gothic style. It has a white and grey striped facade. The cathedral dates from the 12th century.

However, the dome and the towers were added later in the 16th century. The cathedral facade with the two unequal towers and large central rose windows is both unusual and beautiful.

Inside the cathedral, you can see more use of the ‘striped marble’ design above the marble columns that line the nave. Several important artworks and frescoed ceilings. The church treasury also contains some fascinating historical artefacts.