Destination Articles

Genova, Italy's premier maritime city

With a reputation as a rapidly growing industrial city, many travellers decide to steer clear of Liguria's Genova, located on the northern coast of the Mediterranean, in Italy. However, this may be a poor decision as Genova is also a city rich with history and beauty.

 

You can get to Genova (Genoa in Italian) with a short car ride from Pisa or even a relatively short train ride from Turin, but unlike those cities, this gem is right on the sea.

While touring through a religious country like Italy, you will come across lots of churches (lots is truly an understatement), all uniquely spectacular, however. Even if churches aren't your thing - you must visit the Church of San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) - it is a different kind of amazing. It is what I imagine walking inside a zebra would be like! The entrance is guarded by two lions, and the interior is a beautiful black and white stripe pattern. You can see the massive organ pipes and observe artefacts from the World Wars.

I mentioned history - Genova is home of the world's first bank and one of the world's first universities, and you can check out the house of Christopher Colombus - I didn't even know he was Genovese before I saw his house and the giant statue near the train station.

Pirates are a big part of Genova's history too - the locals devised a system of thin, narrow alleyways which could easily be blocked off should some pirates be seen on horizon. Try not to lose yourself in these mazes!

As far as food goes, naturally the fish is always fresh, and all Italians recognise the Genovese pesto as the best there is - a must try.

The scenery surrounding the city is rather similar to Monaco, for example, and that is a point I must emphasise - seeing just Rome isn't seeing Italy properly. It is such a diverse country with many different climates, dialects, landscapes and foods, and coastal cities and towns like Genova also play a big part in the 'real' Italy.

Will Carter