Attractions in Downtown (Genova)

Chiesa di S.Marco al Molo

This church is hidden amongst the houses on Via del Molo. It was built in a Romanesque style from 1173. However it underwent serious reconstruction in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the entrance was inverted. Today, the main entrance is in the apse. The church has three naves, lined with columns with cubic black stone headbands. It was dedicated to St.Mark to displease the Venetians because St.Mark is the patron saint of Venice. After the sacking of Pola, allied with Venice, the Genovese built a bas-relief into the external wall of the building which showed the lion of St.Mark. This actually came from Pola, an Istrian town(1380). The church of St.Mark had a sad aspect to it; it was known as the "church of those condemned to death". These unlucky souls came here from the Casa del Boia to receive the last blessing before they were taken to Porta Siberia (or del Molo), where, for many centuries, hangings took place.

Palazzo Imperiale

This building, erected by Vincenzo Imperiale before 1560, is one of the greatest examples of self-promotion ever to be achieved in the old city by a Genovese noble at the height of his wealth and influence. To comprehend the importance of this building, with structural and stucco work by G. B. Castello, known as Il Bergamasco, and frescoes by L. Cambiaso, O. Semino and A. Ansaldo, you need only recall that by Royal command all the houses opposite the newly acquired palazzo were bought and destroyed to create a direct link to St. Lawrence's cathedral (today the Via Scurreria la Nuova). On the ground floor, in the entrance, there is an auction house, while on the upper floor there is the Pub Imperiale, decorated with beautiful frescoes and stucco work.

Archivio di Stato

It is linked to the two most important buildings in Genoa, the Cattedrale di S.Lorenzo and the Palazzo Ducale, by means of hanging bridges. It was built in 1581 as the Palazzetto Criminale, or the predecessor to the modern prisons. 1881 saw the transfer here of the State Archives of the Republic of Genoa, one of the most important and oldest archives in the whole of Italy. Much of the wealth of documents inside remains undiscovered. One of these documents is a manuscript dating back to 952 AD which tells of the of property tax benefits granted to the monks of S. Siro by Teodolfo, Bishop of Genoa. The airy, arched triple portico which opens up into the internal courtyard is especially interesting and unusual when one considers the building's original use.

Palazzo dell'Università

Founded as a Jesuit college in 1634, today this is the main University site. It is an extraordinary example of a productive use of the hillside behind, featuring a panorama of stairways, galleries and hanging gardens, like in the Palazzo Doria Tursi on the Via Garibaldi, modelled on the work of the architect Bartolomeo Bianco. The splendid Aula Magna, richly frescoed by G.A. Carlone, is certainly worth a visit. The University Library nearby is housed in the former Jesuit church of S. Francesco Saverio, with frescoes by D. Piola, partially hidden by the bookshelves. Admission:Free.

Chiesa della SS.Annunziata di Portoria (S.Caterina di Portoria)

This church is located away from the tourist areas in the modern Piccapietra neighbourhood, just behind the courts of Justice which have taken over the remains of the old Pammatone Hospital. It was built in 1556 and dedicate to SS. Annunziata, however, has increasingly become known as Santa Caterina da Genova, especially after her beatification in 1737. The inside has three naves and can be considered as an art gallery for sixteenth century Genoese art. Among the array of frescoes are some by O. and A. Semino, L. and P. Calvi, L. Cambiaso, G.B. Castello, A. Lomi, D. Piola and G. Carlone. The famous Mausoleum of Santa Caterina is attributed to Francesco Schiaffino. It is held aloft by four allegorical statues and is especially dear to the people of the city as it holds the intact body of the patron saint of Italian hospitals. Since 1983 part of the adjacent convent has housed the Museum of Capuchin life, and exhibits works of art, furnishings and objects belonging to the world of the Capuchin monks. Open: 9am-midday; 3pm-6.30pm Mon-Sun. Service times: Saturday 5.30pm; Sunday 8.30am, 9.30am (inv.) 10.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm.

Palazzo Balbi Senarega

Built between 1618-20 to the designs of the architect Bartolomeo Bianco, this building houses several of the departments of the University's Faculty of Literature and Philosophy. The palazzo was planned with two floors of equal elegance, frescoed by D. Piola, V. Castello, G. and L. De Ferrari, D. Fiasella, since the two investors, Giacomo and Pantaleo Balbi, wanted to express the same level of prestige and opulence. The garden was established in the mid 17th century, finished off by the addition of a beautiful pond full of water lilies, which has been recently restored.

Palazzo già Grimaldi (Palazzo della Meridiana)

This palazzo was built in the first half of the sixteenth century on the edge of the official 'historic centre', in an area which, after the advent of the nearby Strada Nuova, today the Via Garibaldi, would become extrememly prestigious. The choice of location and the magnificence of the building testify to the extraordinary wealth and foresight of the owner, G.B. Grimaldi, who like his contemporary Andrea Doria, adhered to the architectural models of Rome. Visitors once described it as "fit for a prince". However, the modifications carried out in the eighteenth century changed and deadened the entire building, through both superficial alterations, such as opening of the lower gardens onto the Via Nuovissima (now Via Cairoli), and more structural changes, in particular the addition of a covered terrace, designed by G. Brusco. At the beginning of the twentieth century Coppedé radically transformed the interior, covering the courtyard with a liberty skylight and altering the decoration in several rooms. After having been employed to several different ends (military hospital, Lloyd Sabaudo, College of music and various educational functions) it currently houses several council offices. The intruiging name given to both the palazzo and the piazza comes from the large sundial painted on the façade in the eighteenth century.

Via Balbi

Conceived at the beginning of the seventeenth century as an imitation of the Strada Nuova (Via Garibaldi), this road was in fact built for a single family, the Balbi, who owned the entire area. The Balbi decided to create their "district" here, having increased their fortunes dramatically after the beginning of the silk trade, due to a sequence of entrepreneurial activity abroad (in Anversa and Spain), after having arranged several marriages of convenience with other rising families. To achieve this, they commissioned the architect Bartolomeo Bianco to build several of their sumptuous palaces, as well as to design the streets named by them. In an urban regeneration which took most of the seventeenth century, several residences were constructed: the Palazzo di Gio Francesco Balbi, that of Giacomo and Pantaleo Balbi, today the Palazzo Balbi Senarega of the University of Genoa, the Palazzo of Francesco Maria Balbi, that of Stefano Balbi, later Durazzo, which today houses the Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Reale and the Falcone Theatre, the Palazzo of Gio Agostino Balbi now named Cattaneo Adorno, the church of Saints Jerome and Frances Saverio and the Jesuit College, today the Palazzo dell'Università and university library, and finally St Charles' church.

Galleria Mazzini

This imitation of the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery in Milan was built in the second half of the nineteenth century. It is known as the "living room of the great and good" of the city. It connects Piazza De Ferrari with the Carlo Felice theatre and the central Piazza Corvetto. The gallery is entirely covered by a glazed roof with a metal framework. It was used as the main shopping thoroughfare for the most prestigious shops in the city. This was an Anglo Saxon fashion that was in vogue in the north of Italy during this period. There are occasionally concerts and cultural exhibitions held here. At Christmas time the popular book fair is held here.

Campetto

This well placed piazzetta derives its name (Campetus fabrorum) from the blacksmiths who were based here during medieval times. However, its current configuration is due to the 16th century building of the Palazzo Imperiale and the Palazzo Imperiale De Mari, now known as "del Melograno", because of the well-loved small pomegranate tree which is sticking out from a balcony on the main floor. This building now houses the Upim chain store, and therefore, can be visited during the normal retail opening times. At the end of the old courtyard is a valuable nymphaeum by F. Parodi as well as several frescoes in the current offices on the upper levels. The fountain in the middle of the square is an old drinking trough for the animals and was brought here after restoration from the demolished Ponticello area close to Casa di Cristoforo Colombo.

Torre degli Embriaci

Built in the twelfth century in the area of the powerful Embriaci family residences, this is the only city tower to have escaped the height reduction enforced by a community law in 1296 to abate the arrogance of the aristocratic families, expressed through ever higher towers. In memory of Guilgielmo Embriaco, known as "Hammer head", the hero of the First Crusade, the Republic conceded to his descendants the honour of conserving 80 hands over the regulated height for a tower, and a stone can still be seen today at the base of the tower confirming the mayor's concession. The tower, right next to the Palazzo Brignole Sale, is made in ashlar-work stone, and is hardly even crumbling. In 1923, the upper part was treated to a period of restoration, and the topmost stones were replaced with tiles. Not open to the public (private residence).

Casa del Boia

This 13th century building, which now houses commercial offices, is situated at the entrance to via del Molo, the last part of the macabre walk for the condemned prisoners on their way to be hung. Once past the house, the prisoners received the blessing of the Chiesa di S.Marco al Molo, and continued on their way towards the end of the old dock where all public executions were carried out until 1852 in full view of the Porta Siberia (o del Molo).