GENOA 🇮🇹 FULL 4K Walking Tour (4.5 Hours) | Italy City Walk & Coastal Vibes

GENOA 🇮🇹 FULL 4K Walking Tour (4.5 Hours) | Italy City Walk & Coastal Vibes

Welcome to Genoa, Italy, home to one of the largest medieval city centers in Europe! Our tour begins at the Porto Antico (Old Port), which was redesigned by architect Renzo Piano and now features museums, shops, and panoramic viewpoints. Around the corner we will see Bigo, a panoramic elevator/observation structure. It offers one of the best vantage points in Genoa to show both the port activity and the historic cityscape. Its design evokes the shape of an old ship-crane (“bigo” in the Genoese port-vernacular) used historically for loading/unloading goods. The elevator cabin lifts you about 40 meters above the port (≈ 131 feet) and rotates 360°, giving panoramic views of the harbor, city center and surrounding hills. The Bigo was inaugurated in conjunction with the 1992 Genoa Expo (Expo ’92) and the redevelopment of the old port area. The entire ride lasts just under 10 minutes. A ticket costs only €6. You can get a combined ticket, for €49, which includes the Bigo as well as the aquarium, Biosphere, and children’s museum. As you can see, the Bigo crane structure supports other areas of the port as well. Genova is Italy’s top maritime city and the Mediterranean’s largest commercial port. During the time of this walk, Genoa was hosting The Ocean Race Europe 2025. This is the reason for the stage and the booths everywhere. Here you can see the Biosfera, a spherical glass‐and‐steel structure with a tropical micro‐ecosystem inside. It was designed by Renzo Piano and realized for the G8 in 2001. Inside the dome there are over 150 species of plants and animals (birds, reptiles, insects) from tropical forests. Back to the Ocean Race. The Ocean Race is a multi-leg offshore yacht race around Europe involving fully-crewed teams sailing IMOCA 60 class yachts. The fleet will cover about 4,500 nautical miles in total around Europe. There are five offshore legs (plus one final coastal race in the finish port). Genoa is a major stop/leg port for the race (Leg 4 ends in Genova). We are now at the Acquario di Genova, Italy’s largest Aquarium. Built for Expo ’92 (the 500th anniversary of the “discovery” of the New World) as part of a port redevelopment plan; the building was designed by architect Renzo Piano. Next, we will see the Neptune, a full-scale ship replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon. It was built in 1984-85 at Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia, for the film Pirates (1986) directed by Roman Polanski. After its film role it was relocated and is now permanently moored here in Genoa’s Old Port and open to visitors It is 206 feet (63 meters) long and has a beam (width): ~ 54 ft (16.4 m.) Above-water section is timber/planked to look authentic; below waterline uses steel for practical mooring. It’s rigging consists of three square-masted plus bowsprit; sail area reported ~4,500 m². It has been used in other productions: for example, as the “Jolly Roger” ship in the TV miniseries Neverland (2011). The cost to visit the Neptune galleon is €6.00 for adults and €4.00 for children. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Genova has long been considered one of the most important maritime centers in Europe. By the way, Genoa is the common name used in English and many other languages (like German, French, etc.), while Genova is the city’s official name in Italian. We just have to cross the street so we can enter the historic center. Unfortunately, Genoa has this raised highway running through the city right along the waterfront. They should take a lesson from Seattle and get Big Bertha to bore a tunnel and then remove the raised highway. This covered portico walkway to our right is known as the Sottoripa, meaning “under the bank” or “below the ridge,” referring to its location right at the base of the city’s steep hills, facing the ancient harbor. The Sottoripa dates back to the 12th century and is one of the first and longest sequences of porticoes in Europe. During the height of the Republic of Genoa (a major maritime power), the Sottoripa was the bustling, chaotic center of international trade. It was lined with banks, money changers, spices sellers, and merchants from across the Mediterranean and beyond. This Piazza is a major intersection of inner streets. There is also a famous cafe/bakery here on the corner called Pasticceria Liquoreria Marescotti. The inner streets of Genoa are known as Carruggi. They are the heart and soul of Genoa’s historic center. Stepping into the Carruggi is like traveling back in time to the peak of the powerful Republic of Genoa. The Carruggi were designed not for beauty or grandeur, but for defense and commerce. Their narrow, twisting nature made them difficult for invading forces to navigate and provided excellent security for the valuable goods being transported from the port. The buildings are exceptionally tall and narrow, often reaching five or six stories, and are built so close together that they often completely obscure the sky. This creates a perpetual twilight effect, which historically kept the streets cool during the summer and provided cover. This church is believed to have been founded in the 4th century, making it one of the very first places of Christian worship in Genoa. It served as Genoa’s primary cathedral until the 10th century, when that title was transferred to the current Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. It is dedicated to St. Syrus of Genoa, a revered bishop who is credited with driving Arianism out of the city and becoming one of Genoa’s early patron saints. The church has been damaged and rebuilt many times over the centuries. It suffered damage from Saracen raids in the 10th century and was later heavily damaged by fire. It has a beautifully painted ceiling that creates a sense of depth and grandeur. It houses important paintings and sculptures by key Genoese Baroque artists, including works by Giovanni Battista Carlone. The current exterior is largely Baroque, resulting from a major reconstruction in the 17th century. The façade is grand, with large pilasters and a central portal. The main ceiling frescoes were executed by Giovanni Battista Carlone (1592–1677). Carlone’s work in the nave often depicts scenes related to the life of the patron saint, St. Syrus. If we turned right, we would be at the end of Via Garibaldi. We are going to turn left though. Just as in the Middle Ages, the alleyways are lined with small, traditional shops. You’ll find ancient workshops, tiny artisan boutiques, bakeries (focaccerie), and centuries-old bars, often in buildings with beautiful decaying frescoes and ornate door frames. We are now walking parallel to the waterfront. We will go explore the outdoor market before heading up to the Cathedral. While the Carruggi are unassuming from the street, they lead to some of Genoa’s most stunning treasures. Hidden behind plain doors are the Palazzi dei Rolli, a series of grand Renaissance and Baroque palaces (many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites) that were once the private homes of Genoa’s wealthy merchant families. We have now arrived at Church of San Luca (Chiesa di San Luca). The church was originally founded in 1188 by Oberto Spinola on land owned by his son-in-law, Oberto Grimaldi. This act symbolically joined two of the most powerful medieval noble families of the Republic of Genoa. Since 1589, it has been the exclusive place of worship for the Spinola and Grimaldi families. Today, it is primarily maintained by the Spinola Foundation, maintaining this centuries-old connection. The church’s current appearance is largely the result of a major Baroque reconstruction that took place between 1626 and 1650. This street, Via San Luca has very ancient origins. It follows a path known since Roman times as the major route connecting the early city (civitas) to the west (Ponente), eventually linking up with the important Roman consular road, the Via Postumia. In the Middle Ages, the street was known as the “carrubeus major” (the main street) and ran parallel to the waterfront porticoes (like Sottoripa), making it an essential commercial and transit route. It linked the area of the Cathedral (San Lorenzo) with the ancient Burgus (suburb) of San Siro. Beginning around the 12th century, Via San Luca became the exclusive territory of two of Genoa’s most powerful families: the Spinola and the Grimaldi. The two families built their monumental residential and commercial complexes along this street. The name Piazza Banchi literally means “Square of the Benches” or “Square of the Banks.” In the medieval era, money changers and merchants set up their benches (banchi) here to conduct financial transactions, lending, and currency exchange. Strategically located close to the port, it quickly became the central marketplace and the financial hub of the Republic of Genoa, playing a role similar to that of the Rialto in Venice. The dominating feature of the square is the Loggia dei Mercanti (Merchants’ Loggia) or Loggia di Banchi. The original loggia on this site was medieval, but it was rebuilt in the late 16th century (completed in 1595) to its current, more ornate Renaissance/Mannerist appearance. Perhaps the most unusual feature is that the upper floor of the Loggia was consecrated and converted into a church in the early 17th century: the Chiesa di San Pietro in Banchi. This unique arrangement—a place of worship built directly above a marketplace—symbolizes the inseparable link between commerce and religious life in the wealthy Republic of Genoa. Now we will take a short walk up the Sottoripa and then go out to the food market. This is the Sottoripa. The Sottoripa began to be built in 1133. It is Italy’s oldest public portico. Following the building style of the time, shops occupied the ground floor while residents lived on the first floor above. By decree, shop owners had to see to maintenance expenditures outside their shop. In return, they were given the right to live in the apartment above the shop while also being exonerated from taxes if they wished to widen their building. Being covered, it also had the advantage that it provided shelter from bad weather conditions. This statue is the Monumento a Raffaele Rubattino, a Genoese entrepreneur and ship owner. Rubattino is best known for the key role his company played in the Risorgimento (Italian Unification). In 1860, he secretly provided two of his ships, the Piemonte and the Lombardo, to Giuseppe Garibaldi. These ships were used to transport Garibaldi’s famous “Thousand” (I Mille) from Quarto, near Genoa, to Sicily, initiating the decisive military campaign that unified Italy. This piazza, Piazza Caricamento, means Loading Square. The name reflects its historical role as the primary dockside area for loading and unloading goods directly from the harbor into the city’s warehouses and commercial centers. The square serves as the wide, open entrance to the narrow, dense medieval city. While I stayed here in Genoa, I ate dinner down here two nights in a row. I also filmed an evening walk of Genoa and you will see this place completely packed full of people. I got a plate of hot potato slices here later on this day. Man, they were so good! The raised highway that runs along the waterfront buildings in Genoa is the Strada Aldo Moro, often referred to locally simply as the “Sopraelevata” (The Elevated). This structure is one of Genoa’s most defining, and most debated, modern architectural features, fundamentally changing the city’s relationship with its port. The Sopraelevata was built in the early 1960s, specifically completed around 1965. This era was characterized by a push for rapid modernization and the prioritization of automotive traffic in many Italian cities. The primary goal was to relieve the intense traffic congestion caused by the increasing volume of goods moving through the port and the number of vehicles entering the narrow historic city center. It provided an elevated, high-speed route to connect the two sides of the city. This magnificent building dominates the northern side of the square. It is historically one of the most important buildings in Genoa, having been built in the 13th century. It first served as the seat of the Captain of the People. Later, it became the headquarters of the Banco di San Giorgio, one of the oldest and most powerful banks in Europe, symbolizing Genoa’s financial mastery. Its facade is stunning, painted with rich frescoes and featuring a double portico. We are now going to walk up Via San Lorenzo to the Cathedral. Via San Lorenzo is arguably the most important street in Genoa, as it is dominated by the city’s main cathedral and has been the ceremonial and religious axis of the city for over a thousand years. The street is defined by the presence of the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence Cathedral), the city’s principal place of worship. All major religious and civic ceremonies throughout the history of the Republic of Genoa centered on this church. Via San Lorenzo, therefore, functions as the city’s Via Sacra (Sacred Way), connecting the main port areas and historic squares (like Piazza Banchi) to the heart of ecclesiastical power. Like Via San Luca, this street has ancient roots, but its importance crystallized in the Middle Ages. As the city grew wealthy, the street became lined with important civic and religious buildings. The street’s character was continually shaped by the Cathedral itself. The final, spectacular black and white striped facade of the Cathedral was completed around the 13th century and remains the street’s most defining visual element. As mentioned previously, the city’s first cathedral was the Basilica di San Siro (St. Syrus). Around the 9th or 10th century, the seat of the bishop (the cathedra) was formally moved to the site of the current San Lorenzo. This was likely due to the Basilica di San Siro suffering damage from Saracen raids. The first structure on the current site was a simpler Romanesque church, consecrated by Pope Gelasius II in 1118. This initial church was soon found to be inadequate for Genoa’s rapidly expanding wealth and influence as a maritime power. As Genoa ascended to become a major Mediterranean power, the cathedral was rebuilt and enlarged. This period established the distinctive black and white horizontal banding on the exterior, a characteristic decorative style in medieval Liguria (often signaling a noble or religious foundation). The Cathedral suffered a devastating fire, which prompted a major reconstruction effort and modification of the upper parts of the structure, further altering the design. While the exterior remained largely Gothic/Romanesque, the interior was continually enriched with chapels, altarpieces, and domes in the Renaissance and Baroque styles, reflecting the changing artistic tastes of the wealthy Genoese patrons. In a famous incident during World War II, a British naval shell hit the Cathedral. However, due to a construction error, the shell failed to detonate and merely pierced the wall, landing harmlessly inside the building. The dud shell is still displayed inside the church as a miraculous relic. Now we are going to go up to the rooftop. Don’t worry, I cut out the walking up the steps part. 🙂 The central nave retains a strong Romanesque/Early Gothic feel, with marble columns separating the aisles. The side chapels and the main altar area are overwhelmingly Baroque, decorated with polychrome marble, stuccowork, and frescoes. The main dome was frescoed by various artists in the 16th and 17th centuries, contributing to the sense of Baroque illusionism. This is the Rose Window of San Lorenzo. It was crafted in the 13th century, during the major rebuilding phase of the Cathedral’s façade following the construction of the portals. When we get outside, you will see that the two towers are mismatched. Work on the right bell tower ceased in the 15th century, leaving it significantly shorter than the left tower. This is the shorter right bell tower. The tall left tower features a Renaissance dome designed by Galeazzo Alessi, while the shorter right tower remains incomplete, demonstrating the pauses in construction caused by fire and financial constraints. Well…I want to go up there! Why are we in the shorter bell tower? I feel jipped. 🙂 I actually filmed this part of the walk on Friday while I was out exploring the city. The cathedral is open from 8 to 12 and then again from 3 to 7 pm. Admission to the main Cathedral itself is free. There is a charge (around €5) to climb the towers and to visit the Museum of the Treasury (Museo del Tesoro). The cost to the bell tower is €5 per person. You will see a dramatic change in lighting as the video changes from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon. The two marble lions are positioned at the base of the main stairs leading up to the central Gothic portals of the Cathedral. They guard the entrance, sitting atop short columns or pedestals. The three main portals feature intricate Gothic sculptures depicting Biblical scenes and the life of St. Lawrence. Take a look again at the two mismatched towers. There is always someone who gets excited when they see a camera. 🙂 Now we will walk further up Via San Lorenzo and over to the Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari. Genoa is the sixth largest city in Italy and the capital of the Italian region of Liguria. As of 2025, 564,919 people live within the city’s administrative limits. While its metropolitan city has 818,651 inhabitants, more than 1.5 million people live in the wider metropolitan area stretching along the Italian Riviera. This must be some good Focaccia bread! This shop is called Focaccia e Dintorni. Focaccia is simply bread with holes inside, filled with salamoia (water, oil, and salt). It is thin, soft, and slightly chewy in the center, with a crisp, golden-brown crust. It is famously eaten for breakfast, often dipped into a cappuccino or eaten as a mid-morning snack. This is a Fiat 500, painted to depict the city of Genoa by artist Angelo Gnecco. Piazza Giacomo Matteotti is one of the most historically and architecturally important squares in the heart of Genoa’s Old Town. This is the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace). We will go inside it later. Located on the southeastern corner of the piazza, this church is a stunning example of Genoese Baroque architecture. This church was built on the site of the ancient 6th-century Church of Sant’Ambrogio. The current church was entirely rebuilt by the powerful Jesuit Order starting in the late 16th century. Look up at the illusionistic frescoes by the Carlone brothers, designed to pull your gaze straight up to heaven. The church is an essential stop because it houses major works by two international masters: Peter Paul Rubens and Guido Reni. They sound kind of busy in here. I don’t want to be rude. Let’s move on with the tour. Piazza De Ferrari is the main square and symbolic heart of Genoa, Italy. It serves as the physical and metaphorical meeting point between the historic city center and the newer, commercial, and financial district built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is named after Raffaele De Ferrari, the Duke of Galliera, a banker and politician who donated a substantial sum of money for the expansion of Genoa’s port in 1875. The central fountain was designed by architect Giuseppe Crosa di Vergagni and inaugurated in 1936. It is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. It was renovated and enhanced with new water jets in the early 2000s, further cementing its role as a dramatic focal point. The square is ringed by buildings representing different periods and architectural styles, primarily from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I’m sorry about the camera movement. I was trying to film while adjusting the aperture on the go. It did not work well. I won’t be doing that again. I actually switch to auto mode a little later. The building you see behind the fountain is the Palazzo della Regione Liguria which houses the offices of the Liguria Regional Government. The curved building here is the Palazzo della Nuova Borsa (New Stock Exchange). We are now going to walk a short ways down Via XX Settembre, one of the most important streets in Genoa. The Name “XX Settembre” (20th of September) commemorates the date in 1870 when Italian troops breached Porta Pia and captured Rome, completing the unification of Italy (Risorgimento). The street was constructed between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century as part of a massive modernization and expansion project for Genoa. It largely followed and widened the route of the former Via Giulia. It was a project aimed at connecting the old city center (starting from Piazza De Ferrari) with the expanding eastern districts (ending near Piazza della Vittoria and Brignole train station), overcoming significant geographical barriers. The porticos are the streets most defining feature. They are famous for their refined details, including columns, neoclassical arches, and beautifully decorated ceilings and mosaic floors (often in a Venetian style). One of the neo-Gothic porticoes features a detailed carving and the Genoese motto: “As the Griffin seizes these, so Genoa tears to pieces its enemies.” The street is often referred to by locals simply as “Via Venti” (Street Twenty). Via XX Settembre is considered Genoa’s main shopping street. You may want to explore it more when you visit, but since I am not filming inside clothing stores…I’ll skip it for now. We are now going to cut back over to Via San Lorenzo and walk through the Porta Soprana to Christopher Columbus’ old house. We don’t build anything like this anymore, do we? Every building in Seattle now just looks like a tall square post covered in mirrors. The building on our right, the government building, is wrapped around the church behind it. It looks interesting from above on Google Earth. Up ahead is Via di Porta Soprana, which is just the other end of Via San Lorenzo. The Porta Soprana (meaning “Upper Gate” or “Gate on High”) is one of the most iconic symbols of Genoa’s medieval era and one of the best-preserved sections of the ancient city walls. The gate was constructed between 1155 and 1159 as the main eastern entrance to the city, part of a rapid defensive project known as the Walls of Barbarossa. This effort was undertaken to defend the Republic of Genoa from the expansionist ambitions of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. The alternate historical name is Porta Sant’Andrea, due to its proximity to the Monastery of Sant’Andrea, which was later demolished in the 19th and early 20th centuries during urban redevelopment. Over the centuries, as the city expanded, the gate lost its defensive role and became absorbed by surrounding residential buildings. The two towers were even used as a prison in the 19th century. Up next, we have the St Andrew cloister ruins. The Chiostro di Sant’Andrea is a carefully preserved and reconstructed remnant of a major medieval monastery demolished for urban development in the early 20th century. The cloister was part of the large Benedictine Monastery of Sant’Andrea della Porta (St. Andrew of the Gate). The oldest parts of the monastery, including the church, dated back to the beginning of the 11th century. The cloister itself is Romanesque in origin, with its initial construction likely dating to the mid-12th century. Between 1900 and 1906, the entire St. Andrew district, including the monastery and the hill it stood on, was demolished. This was part of a major urban restructuring plan to modernize the city center, which led to the creation of the wide Via Dante and the construction of the building that now houses the Bank of Italy. The medieval cloister was the only architectural structure from the vast monastic complex to be saved from demolition. This reassembly, however, did not manage to preserve the original order of all the sculpted elements. The first thing to know is, this is not the original house, but an 18th century reconstruction. The original house was likely destroyed in 1684 during the French bombardment of Genoa ordered by King Louis XIV. The current two-story structure was purchased by the Municipality of Genoa in 1887. It was one of the few buildings in the area to be saved during major urban redevelopment between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Archival documents suggest the Columbus family, led by his father Domenico, lived on this site between approximately 1455 and 1470. Christopher Columbus would have lived here from about age four to fourteen. A plaque on the facade affirms the house’s significance, reading: “No house is more worthy of consideration than this one, where Christopher Columbus spent, within his father’s walls, his first youth.” One of the towers is often open to the public for a small fee, offering a climb up a spiral staircase for panoramic views of the historic center. I did not see any sign that it was open. This street leads straight to the Mercato di Piazza Sarzano, which we will see later in the tour. We are going to turn around though, and walk down Via di Canneto Il Lungo, which parallels Via San Lorenzo. If you want to follow along, there is a map to the walk in the video description. The map includes timestamps corresponding to the blue titles we see in the video. On the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea, Genoa has historically been one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean. It is the busiest port in Italy and in the Mediterranean Sea and twelfth-busiest in the European Union. The busiest port in the EU is the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, based on both total cargo and container throughput. Genoa was the capital of one of the most powerful maritime republics for over seven centuries, from the 11th century to 1797. Particularly from the 12th century to the 15th century, the city played a leading role in the history of commerce and trade in Europe. It was also nicknamed la Superba (“the proud one”) by Petrarch due to its glories on the seas and impressive landmarks. The city has hosted massive shipyards and steelworks since the 19th century, and its solid financial sector dates back to the Middle Ages. We are now entering the oldest part of Genoa, but this area is kind of quiet during the day. This is Piazza delle Erbe (Square of the Herbs) which comes alive at night. The square is believed to stand on the site of the Roman Forum of the ancient town of Genua, making it one of the oldest public spaces in the city. We will come back to this area later though when things pick up a bit more. This is one of the most important and historically preserved arteries within Genoa’s sprawling medieval historic center, which is often referred to by the local term, caruggi (narrow alleyways). The name “il Lungo” (the long one) indicates its nature as an unusually straight and extended street in a neighborhood otherwise defined by a tight, winding, and intricate labyrinth of alleyways. It is one of the main axes running through the old town. It offers the quintessential atmosphere of Genoa’s historic center—a shaded, canyon-like path lined with tall, ancient buildings, often decorated with votive edicules (Madonnine) above the doorways. Can you imagine what it would been like here 500 years ago? This shop is a ‘drogheria’ – a historic establishment selling groceries. And a pescheria, meaning fishmongers. Here, they are selling traditional dishes like baccalà (salted cod fish) and polpo con patate (octopus with potatoes). Even fruit and vegetable shops are artworks in Italy! Via di Canneto il Lungo intersects with Via di Canneto il Curto, the first meaning ‘long’ and the second ‘short’. The shop on the right is selling fresh pesto. The sauce made of pasil, oil, garlic and pine nuts originates in Genoa. Many of Genoa’s oldest streets are named after a geographic feature. ‘Canneto’, for example, means by a stream The Church of the Holy Name of Mary and of the Guardian Angels was built between 1712 and 1770. Piazza San Lorenzo is named after St Lawrence, who was the city’s patron saint until around 958. The Genoese transferred their allegiance to Saint George (and Saint John the Baptist) at some point during the 11th or 12th century. The flag of Genoa is a St. George’s Cross, a red cross on a white field. The Ducal Palace has two facades, the main one facing onto Piazza Giacomo Matteotti. The building is currently hosting and antique market in the courtyard. Once the home of the doges of Genoa, the palace is now a museum and a centre for cultural events and arts exhibitions. The construction of the Doge’s Palace began at the end of the 13th century. This was when Genoa was gradually consolidating its military and economic power in the Mediterranean. The second facades faces onto the grand Piazza dei Ferrari. In the 13th century, the city was organized according as the “Compagna Communis” (the official name of the Republic in the time), which provided for the appointment of the Capitano del popolo, as the head of state of Genoa. In the center of this square is a monument to Giuseppe Garbaldi, who was instrumental in the unification of Italy. Until 1291, the highest officials and other representatives of the Genoa did not have their own headquarters but were housed in the Archbishop’s Palace, or in nearby private homes. In 1291, the homes of the Doria and Fieschi families were purchased and gradually transformed into the Ducal Palace. The Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini is a covered shopping arcade dating from 1870. The architecture was inspired by the famous arcades of Paris and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The building is named after the patriot Giuseppe Mazzini, who was also a politician and philosopher. Thanks to its opulent style, Galleria Mazzini became a meeting place for intellectuals and illustrious residents in the 19th century. The name of this street refers to the now demolished convent dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. This square was built under the doge Luca Spinola in the 16th century and modified several times over the centuries. It takes its name from an ancient three-arched fountain, built in 1206 and later demolished. Via Garibaldi is one of the Strade Nuove (Italian for “new streets”) built by the Genoese aristocracy during the Renaissance. The street is well known for its grand historic palaces. Palazzo Podestà, also known as Palazzo Lomellino, was built between 1559 and 1565 by Giovan Battista Castello known as the “Bergamasco” and Bernardino Cantone at the behest of Nicolosio Lomellino. The ornate stucco decoration of the oval atrium is the design of Bergamasco, who was able to introduce the suggestions of the most up-to-date Mannerist culture to Genoa. This palace now houses elegant furniture stores and art galleries. Opposite is the magnificent 16th century Palazzo Doria Tursi. The palazzo is the largest on the street and the only one built on three lots of land. It was begun in 1565 by the Mannerist architects Domenico and Giovanni Ponzello. The Palazzo Rosso is a 17th-century former aristocratic family’s home, and now an art gallery. This square takes its name from the sundial painted on the eighteenth-century façade of the Gerolamo Grimaldi palace, Behind these walls lies the Saint Anna convent, with a herbalist’s shop dating from 1650. This ‘salita’, or incline, runs through the Castelletto neighborhood, an affluent residential quarter. Castelletto occupies a hilly area which, until the construction of the New Walls in the 17th century, was located outside of the city. The area is know for its ‘belvedere’, the location of a now demolished fort that gave the quarter its name, which has views over the Old City and the Gulf of Genoa. The presence of the fort was recorded as early as the 10th century AD and dismantled in the late 19th century to make way to residential buildings and the panoramic belvedere. A lift makes access to the belvedere easier from the old center below. This lift was designed in flowing Liberty style and built in 1910. It travels up and down 57 meters and has two cabins that can carry up to 25 people in total. You can purchase four trips on the lift for € 4,00. The lift connects to Piazza del Portello. On the hill you can see a tower know as the ‘Minaret’, dating from the 12th century. We return to the Piazza delle Fontane Marose, possible so named for the prhase “fons marosus”, referring to the turbulence of the fountain’s waters. Other theories suggest it derived from “fons morosus”, perhaps due to its proximity to the public brothel. The name “Luccoli” derives from the Latin “luculus,” meaning “small sacred grove.” Many centuries ago, this road was simply a country lane. Beginning in the 13th century, the Luccoli branch of the Spinola family began building their homes along this road. Even today, numerous Spinola buildings line both Via Luccoli and Salita di Santa Caterina, which we walked up just before. Until the 17th century, this square was a hub of commercial activity with a bustling market. This square is favorite spot for al fresco meals in its many cafes and restaurants. Although this square no longer hosts a market, it is still a meeting point for many Genoese who come for a coffee in its many cafes. Some are very old – Klainguti has been here since 1828! The historic interiors have been beautifully restored and the cafe services pastries and produce made to historic family recipes. A popular cake is the Falstaff brioche, in honor of Giuseppe Verdi, a sweet-toothed patron among the many famous who frequented the restaurant. The origin of this street’s name, Soziglia, translates from medieval Latin for “island of pigs”. You can hop on this little train for a tour of the city costing €10 for adults and €5 for children. Santa Maria delle Vigne is a Catholic basilica first built in the 10th century. The basilica’s origins trace back to the 6th century. A chapel was built on a site that was then outside the city walls and covered in vineyards—hence its name, which translates to “Saint Mary of the Vineyards.” A more substantial church was built before the year 1000 and was consecrated in 1117, becoming a major focal point during the Middle Ages. In 1983, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon it the title of minor basilica. The interior features works by renowned artists such as Domenico Piola, Domenico Parodi, and the 15th-century work Madonna and the Angels by Giovanni Mazone. The basilica is the final resting place of the leading early Italian Baroque composer, Alessandro Stradella, who was tragically murdered in Genoa in 1682. Baptism of a Pope: Pope Benedict XV was baptized in this basilica in 1854. I really like these mirrors. I know there is one in a church in Rome too and there is a long line out the door to see it. This exit leads to the Cloister of the church. The cloister’s foundation dates back to the early 11th-century (around 1025, according to historical sources), predating the official consecration of the main basilica structure. Today, parts of the cloister are used as private residences. We are walking out underneath the bell tower, which straddles the narrow alley. Unfortunately, the bell tower is under restoration and covered with scaffolding. The bell tower is the only original Romanesque part of the church structure that remains intact. So, we are currently very close to the Piazza Banchi and the waterfront, but we are going to walk in the direction of Piazza de Ferrari. Up ahead is Piazza delle Oche (Square of the Geese). Did you know Albert Einstein lived in Italy as a boy? He did…right here in this building! Albert’s parents and sister moved their failing electrotechnical business from Munich to Pavia, Italy in 1894. Albert remained in Munich to finish the school term but dropped out in December 1894 and followed his family to Pavia, then later to Milan. His time included the stay in Genoa’s Piazza delle Oche in 1895, where his uncle’s business was located. After quitting school in late 1894, he spent about six months to a year traveling and studying on his own in Italy before enrolling in a school in Aarau, Switzerland, in late 1895 to prepare for the Swiss Polytechnic exam. Despite the short official duration, he later recalled his youth in Italy as having provided his “most beautiful memories.” That sounds about right! Everyone needs to visit Italy! This is an antique shop, the on the ground floor of the Palazzo Imperiale. This is one of Genoa’s more prestigious historical residences. The upper floors (the piano nobile) are primarily used as a high-end event venue for weddings, banquets, business meetings, and exhibitions. Here in Genoa, there is a term known as Palazzi dei Rolli which refers to the many grand aristocratic residences in the city. The term literally translates to the “Palaces of the Lists.” The “Rolli” were official public registers (lists) established by the Senate of the Republic of Genoa starting in 1576. These lists designated the most prestigious private palaces that were required to host distinguished state guests—such as cardinals, princes, ambassadors, and viceroys—visiting the Republic. At one time, there were over 160 palaces on the historical “Rolli” list. There are currently 42 Palazzi dei Rolli which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. Many of these palaces, such as Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Doria Tursi (which serves as the City Hall), are now museums or public buildings and can be visited. This church was founded in 1125 by Martino Doria as a private chapel of the Doria family. The family adopted Saint Matthew (San Matteo) as their patron, allegedly because the saint was a tax collector (or gabelliere), a profession the Doria family excelled in. The entire Piazza San Matteo, with its surrounding palaces, belonged to the Doria family. This cloister was built in the early 14th century. It is a serene, square courtyard surrounded by a loggia with elegant Gothic arches and columns, providing a peaceful contrast to the bustling city outside. The interior of the church was redecorated in the 16th century by order of Andrea Doria. Andrea Doria (1466-1560) was one of the most powerful and consequential figures in the history of the Republic of Genoa. He was a enowned admiral, condottiero (mercenary commander), and statesman. He is often considered the foremost naval leader in Europe of his time. Though he was the true power in Genoa, Doria famously refused the official title of Doge (ruler). He accepted only the honorary title of “Father of the Fatherland” (Pater Patriae). His family’s wealth was instrumental in the construction and grandeur of the palaces in Genoa, including those that would later be known as the Palazzi dei Rolli. In 1951, Italy name their new transatlantic ocean liner after him, the SS Andrea Doria. It tragically sank in 1956 after colliding with the Swedish liner MS Stockholm off the coast of Nantucket. I still think George Costanza should have got the apartment. 🙂 We are now going to walk over to the other side of the older historic center and get a view of the water. We are now back to Piazza Giacomo Matteotti. This charming little piazza up ahead is called Piazza Pollaiuoli. A notable feature of the square is a beautiful 18th-century marble votive shrine. Next, we will visit Piazza dell Erbe, for a second time. According to some ancient legends, the god Janus himself was the founder of the city of Genoa. The god’s duality is often used to symbolize the city’s unique geographical and cultural position. Here in Genoa, you sometimes come across signs or paintings which show a person with two faces, this is Janus. One face is turned toward the sea (reflecting its history as a powerful Maritime Republic). The other face is turned toward the mountains (reflecting its rugged Ligurian geography). The image of Janus is a long-standing symbol of Genoa. For instance, he is sometimes depicted at the top of the city’s heraldic symbols, alongside the Griffins and the St. George’s cross. This is the Giardini Luzzati, a vibrant social hub that gets busier in the evening. Named after the famous Genoese illustrator and animator, Emanuele Luzzati, it is much more than just a park. The Giardini Luzzati is celebrated as a successful urban renewal project. Here are the remains of a Roman Amphitheater. In the 1990s, this square, which was slated to become a parking lot in a deteriorating part of the city, was instead transformed by a cooperative into a public, multi-functional space. It’s a relaxed gathering place for people of all ages—a true “oasis of peace” amidst the narrow, historic caruggi (alleys). They even have ping-pong! Up above the piazza there is a football field, the Campetto delle Erbe. Today, there is a competition going on. I stopped and bought a shirt. 🙂 Some of these guys did not like me filming. We are now walking around the back side of the Chiesa di Sant’Agostino to where Genoa was born. This is the Mercato di Piazza Sarzano. It is closed at the moment. The market generally operates in two shifts, morning and afternoon, from Monday to Saturday, but is closed on Friday and Sunday. To our right is the Pozzo di Giano (Janus’ Well), which is said to be on the exact spot where Genoa was founded. On top of the well is a statue of the two-faced god. Notice to our left, there is a metro sign. There is one metro line here Genoa that follows the water and then ends at the Brignole train station. To our left is an old church that’s been turned into a college. The church was first built around 1141 and was originally outside the first city walls. In 1684, a French naval bombardment caused the collapse of the ceiling/vault. During World War II, the church was severely damaged and destroyed by fire during the bombings. After the war, the building remained a ruin for many decades. The ruins of the church were completely restored and repurposed to house the main hall of the department of architecture of the University of Genia. Next we are going to see the Piazza Campopisano, a secluded square with an interesting history. The square and its mosaic are deeply tied to one of the most significant events in the history of the Republic of Genoa: the Battle of Meloria. The Battle of Meloria was a decisive naval engagement fought on August 6, 1284, between the fleets of the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Pisa. The battle took place near the islet of Meloria, off the coast of Tuscany (near Pisa and Livorno). Genoa achieved a decisive victory, completely destroying the Pisan fleet. This defeat crippled Pisa’s power, effectively ending its role as a major Mediterranean maritime republic. Around 9,000 Pisan captives were confined this area of the city. Left without adequate food or sustenance, thousands of these prisoners perished. This field became a cemetery. The name Campopisano means “Pisan Field.” The square officially became a cemetery site in the 15th century, with a decree prohibiting further building on the ground. Here we see the flag of Pisa. Again, you can keep track of where we are by clicking on the map in the video description. These steps lead back up to Piazza di Sarzano and the Janus Well. Genoa has been protected by a succession of major defensive walls over its history. These steps are part of an old defensive wall. The defensive system evolved in a series of concentric circles, with four or five major wall circuits built and expanded over time. Large portions of these walls remain today, and Genoa has more and longer walls than any other city in Italy. This Gothic church dates from the 13th century as is currently closed for restoration. The church of San Donato features an unusual octagonal bell tower. The current church dates from the 12th century, but there was likely an older church on this site built in the 7th century. The church represents the most significant example of Genoese Romanesque, with a rich decoration of columns and archways. The roof of the central nave was redone with exposed wooden trusses, after the eighteenth-century brick roof had been destroyed during bombing in the Second World War. Of the 12 columns, six are reused Roman columns. This chapel was once the carpenters’ oratory, dedicated to Saint Joseph, and was incorporated into the church in the 19th century through the opening of a door. This lovely painting is by Joos van Cleve and depicts the Adoration of the Magi. Via San Bernardo is another historic street lined with medieval and Renaissance buildings and artisan workshops. The black and white striped building is the back of another splendid church, the Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo in San Bernardo, dating from 1716. Black and white bands on buildings are typical of Ligurian Romanesque and Gothic architecture, referring to the wider region of which Genoa is the capital. This square is home to more of the historic UNESCO designated palaces, including the Rollo Palace. The Embriaci tower is one of the few medieval towers remaining in the city, and was built by the Castro family, who later changed their name to Castello. This church, in Romanesque style, was erected before 900 AD. It houses many artworks commissioned by the main noble families of Genoa, by artists such as Francesco Maria Schiaffino, Lorenzo Fasolo, and Alessandro Gherardini. The high altar is decorated by a marble group of the “Assumption” by Domenico Parodi (late 17th century). Notable are the frescoes with Stories of David and the painted majolicas from the 16th century Genoese school. Vico della Pece derives its name from the workshops of the Calafati guild once in this area. This guild performed the essential task of waterproofing ships. Documents attest to the presence of this church from at least 1049, but there may have been a chapel on the site dating from the 6th or 7th century. We are currently in the Castello district, one of the oldest parts of Genoa with dozens of medieval structures. The church of San Giorgio is a Russian Orthodox church. Most of the streets in the Castello area are very narrow and pedestrianized. Many streets still follow the urban plan laid out in the medieval period, so you are following in the footsteps of many important people! Since the 12th century, this squarehad been a commercial hub, initially housing the ancient grain market. It later became the main square and financial hub of the city at the time. Via San Luca is a lively street lined with plenty of commercial activities. The church of San Luca is one of the finest examples of Genoese Baroque architecture. Palazzo Castellino Pinelli originated as a 13th century tower house, remnants of which can still be seen in the current structure. There were once dozens of tower houses in Genoa but most were pulled down after an edict passed in 1196. You can see how the style of the urban fabric has now changed, with structures dating from the 16th and 17th centuries lining a wider street. This baroque magnificence built between 1674-1712 and consecrated in 1721. The church represents the most important example of late Baroque architecture in Genoa. Next to the church stands the oratory of San Filippo, built in 1749 based on a design attributed to Giovanni Battista Montaldo. The oratory has an elliptical plan and lavish rococo style decoration. The apartment I stayed in was in this building across the street. Largo della Zecca is so named because it was once home to the ‘zecca’ or mint for producing money. I tend to film parts of the my walks at different times. We are going to go inside the church across the street. The video of inside of the church was filmed on Friday evening. It is currently Monday morning. This site had already been occupied by a community of Humiliated Friars from Lombardy, who in 1228 built a convent and the small church. In 1520, work on a new church on the site began, but it was never finished. In the late 16th century, the half-finished structure underwent a complete renovation. The lavish works on the church continued in the 17th century under the patronage of the wealthy Lomellini family. Ceiling fresco cycles were added in the 1620s and 30s by Giovanni Carlone and his brother Giovanni Battista. Other frescoes, inlaid marble and gilded stucco decorations were entrusted to the finest Genoese artists of the 17th century. The famous philosopher and encyclopedist Montesquieu, in the first half of the eighteenth century , described this as the most beautiful church in Genoa. Pope Pius VII, passing through Genoa on his return journey to Rome after his Napoleonic imprisonment, celebrated the feast of the Ascension in this church on 4 May 1815. The church was hit several times by bombings during WWII, damaging several of the side chapels. Rather than fully restoring the damaged frescoes, conservationists chose to leave these areas with rough plaster so as to highlight the church’s history. Now we are back to Monday morning again. My buddy is carrying my suitcase and we are walking to the train station to get on the train to Nice. This part of the walk was always part of my planned route, but I didn’t have time to film it until now….as I’m leaving. So, this walk will end at the Genova Piazza Principe train station…and I will continue on my trip to the French Riviera. Via Balbi is one of Genoa’s so called ‘New Streets’, named after the aristocratic Genoese Balbi family. Since July 2006 it has been part of theUNESCO World Heritage Site of the Strade Nuove and Palazzi dei Rolli. Formerly known as Strada Balbi, the street was built between 1602 and 1620 as a cooperation between the city authorities and the Balbi family to improve the connection between the city center and the area around the harbor. The street is lined by seven important palaces and several significant religious buildings from the 17th century. Truogoli refers to these historic wash houses, used until a few decades ago. The Balbi family were Genoese bankers, at the height of their wealth in the 17th century. This street is home to the main centre of the University of Genoa, including the faculties of Law, Political Science, Literature and Philosophy. Now that’s a true friend—carrying my suitcase so I can film the magic! He thought I was ahead of him. I had to edit out my laughing as I walked by. The street remains almost completely unchanged from the 17th century, apart from this end section. The final stretch, which used to house eight 17th century monasteries, was modified in the 19th century, when the nearby train station of Genova Principe was built. In the center of the square is a monument to Christopher Colombus, the famed navigator born in Genoa. The historic station was designed by architect Alexander Mazzucchetti and construction began in 1853 and was completed and inaugurated in 1860. Thanks for joining me on this walk! Ciao! Ciao!

Explore the heart of Genoa, Italy 🇮🇹, in this 4-hour full walking tour filmed in stunning 4K⁶⁰.
This immersive city walk begins at the Porto Antico waterfront and winds through the medieval streets, bustling markets, majestic churches, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the city and Ligurian coast.

📅 *Filmed on* Saturday, September 6th, 2025
🌞 *Weather* 28°C | 83°F 🌡
🗺️ *Map of the Walk* https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ObtZ_xWkSkl5bIvGBXW2WxY0uuf9GWg&usp=sharing 🗺️9
📽️Check out the full drone video of Genoa here: (https://youtu.be/O3IuN8BH8uk)

⏱️ *Video Timeline*
0:00 Intro and Map
1:25 Porto Antico
11:33 Neptune Sailing Ship
18:56 Via di Fossatello
20:47 Basilica di San Siro
28:17 Via San Luca
34:56 Piazza Banchi
40:13 Piazza Caricamento Food Market
46:19 Palazzo San Giorgio
*50:01 Via San Lorenzo*
53:54 Cathedral of San Lorenzo
1:15:49 Piazza Giacomo Matteotti
1:16:51 Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea
*1:19:14 Piazza De Ferrari*
1:24:28 Via XX Settembre
1:31:53 Via di Porta Soprana
1:34:30 Chiostro di Sant’Andrea
*1:37:18 Christopher Columbus House*
1:44:07 Quick look at Piazza delle Erbe
1:45:14 Via di Canneto Il Lungo
1:51:58 Via di Canneto Il Curto
1:54:54 Vico del Filo
1:55:44 Piazza San Lorenzo
1:58:38 Palazzo Ducale
2:03:30 Piazza De Ferrari
2:04:55 Largo Alessandro Pertini
2:07:27 Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini
2:11:14 Salita Santa Caterina
2:12:54 Piazza delle Fontane Marose
*2:14:09 Via Garibaldi*
2:22:25 Salita alla Spianata di Castelletto
2:27:40 Scenic Lookout
*2:29:06 Belvedere Castelletto*
2:33:29 Ascensore Spianata Castelletto
2:40:46 Via Luccoli
2:46:18 Piazza di Soziglia
2:47:46 Piazza Lavagna
2:51:54 Fratelli Klainguti Cafe
2:54:55 Via di Soziglia
*2:59:32 Santa Maria delle Vigne*
3:10:13 Campetto
3:13:26 Chiesa e Chiostro di San Matteo
3:18:50 Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari
3:21:50 Piazza Pollaiuoli
3:22:50 Piazza delle Erbe
3:24:47 Piazza dei Tessitori
3:25:38 Indoor Archaeological Area
3:28:11 Campetto delle Erbe (outdoor football)
3:32:35 Mercato di Piazza Sarzano
3:37:31 Piazza Campopisano
3:43:34 Chiesa di Sant’Agostino
3:46:23 Chiesa di San Donato
3:51:07 Via di San Bernardo
3:54:09 Piazza Embriaci
3:56:05 Santa Maria di Castello Church
4:00:52 Vico della Pece
4:01:53 Chiesa dei Santi Cosma e Damiano
4:04:38 Piazza San Giorgio
4:05:44 Via di Canneto Il Curto
4:09:02 Piazza Banchi
4:09:39 Via San Luca
4:14:43 Via Lomellini
4:16:03 Chiesa di San Filippo Neri
4:17:59 Oratorio di San Filippo Neri
4:22:09 Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
4:30:55 Via Balbi
4:34:41 Piazza dei Truogoli di Santa Brigida
4:38:29 Genova Piazza Principe

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📽 *MORE WALKING TOURS*
🎄Christmas Markets Playlist: (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSOO4vYXpMCd2nqHyPaDtgxkf_BsAuQCt&si=0YU1zhv0tLbwm8u6)
🍕 Italy Playlist: (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSOO4vYXpMCc6k7EuMhr764qCNeXDrxpj&si=aYfLAtNw1eGc560w)
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🍣 Japan Playlist: (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSOO4vYXpMCc69vi-SFMODDGKQf_7D-IK&si=hxZIpoG9x1Ypszyq)
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