Why in Genoa?

The name Genoa ("Genova" in Italian), according to a Roman legend, originated from the Roman god Janus ("Giano" in Italian), protector god of all passageways, including the door to one's home or the

gates of a city. This theory has some support in the importance that the Genoese placed on the entrances to their homes: every doorway was decorated with a bas-relief, often with a scene depicting Catholic saints.

Acquarium

Genoa Aquarium is a spectacular structure. Its tanks, containing approximately four million litres of water, make it unique in Europe. These tanks reproduce the natural habitats of the Mediterranean Sea and the World's oceans and at same time respect their biological equilibrium.

The technological and aesthetic solution adopted are among the most advanced in the world, and the 50 tanks, four of wich are oceanic, house over 1000 different species. The Major Attractions are: the Penguins, the Red Sea Tank, the Seals, the Coral, Sharks and Dolphins.

Ducale Palace

The construction of the palace began during the flourishing Republican period of the city's history. Genoa was gradually consolidating its economic power in the Mediterranean sea after the defeats of the Republics of Pisa and Venice. The foundations of the awe-inspiring Torre del Popolo (Tower of the People) belong to this early period: it was completed in 1539 and still "towers" over the old part of the city.

During the 14th century the Palace was enlarged, with buildings added to the original one to fulfil the need for an inner square.

The medieval structure disappeared with the works carried out during the 16th century;the Palace acquired a new appearance which would represent more fittingly the new oligarchic Republic.

Today, the Palazzo Ducale is well worth a visit. All sorts of art exhibitions and activities are always on offer. It houses a bookshop, a jazz museum, a poetry room and a great cafe restaurant as well as an educational centre for kids. Another interesting feature is the medieval Grimaldina Tower which served as a VIP prison cell for aristocrats, dangerous intellectuals and nobles under the Republic.

“Palazzi dei Rolli”

The Republic refounded from Andrea Doria between late 16th and early 17th centuries is center of traffics, courts and embassies. In order to host state visits the owners of the buildings were obliged to give hospitality. This happened through lists ("palazzi dei rolli") subdivided in "levels" for categories of quality.

The 5 known lists (of years 1576, 1588, 1599, 1614 and 1664) describe an extraordinary variety of different solutions, achieving universal value in adapting to the particular characteristics of the site and to the requirements of a specific social and economic organization.

In 2006 the New Streets (Strade Nuove) and the System of Rolli Palaces have been inscribed on the World Heritage List UNESCO.

The City Museums in cooperation with Palazzo Ducale and the tourist guides’ Association organize a guided tour at the discovery of the Palaces every Saturday at 15.30.

Meeting point and booking: Bookshop Musei di Strada Nuova phone: +39.0102759185.
Service in foreign languages according to guide’s skills. Price € 10,00.

Museums
The San Lorenzo Cathedral Treasure Gallery

Strada Nuova Art Galleries: Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi,

Galata – Maritime Museum

The National Gallery of Palazzo Spinola

Palazzo Reale Art Gallery

National Antarctic Museum

For details informations see: www.museigenova.it

Staglieno Cemetery

Staglieno owes its popularity and historic value not only to the fame of the great personalities who rest there but, avove all, to its many sculptural and architectural monuments which share the same area creating a variegated harmony. Althought still unfinished, the cemetery was officially inaugurated on January 1, 1851. The plant of the original nucleus is quadrangular; in the run of the years the cemetery spread up to include the surrounding vegetation, creating a very picturesque fusion with the natural environment.