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Destinations / The best touristic attractions in Portofino, Italy / Genoa

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Genoa



  

 Genoa is an amazing and bustling city located at 38 km nort-west of Portofino. It represents a wonderful city that features many beautiful wonders. A city rich in art and a very important seaport, including the commercial exchange, Genoa is one of the most surprising cities in Italy, a fantastic destination where to spend marvelous moments, while in Portofino. For a long period of time, Genoa was ignored by conventional tourist routes, but  it still   offers  incredible attractions and a stunning artistic heritage to  its visitors, leaving pleasant impressions on everyone.

 
The medieval old town of Genoa is the biggest in Europe, being a treaured centre, a complicated labyrinth of alleyways, where among the shops, restaurants, and local stores, the visitors can get to find amazing sights of the city's notable past. Related by its  16th century palaces, baroque edifices, and Romanesque churches, Genoa comprises majestic attractions which guarantee to keep everyone entertained, young and old alike.
 
Genoa, the capital city near Portofino is  considered one of the eight wonders of the world. It is a town full of life and exciting activities, with a vibrant lifestyle, that reflects the character of its residents. The writers and politicians who visited the city before the historical events of the 17th century , called it Superba. Its 19th century aspect was discredited, whereas the town’s ancient splendour, was blossoming again in the new formed middle-class and the city appeared as a very important centre in Portofino. Genoa is a lovely town that must be explored and discovered by tourists.
 
A restless town continually changing, trying to preserve its unrepeatable charm during its glorious history. The city has made its hills very flat to widen its precious squares, filled in valleys to lay down new roads. New edifices keeping the original elements untouched had been found near the old ones. Fanscinating views of the town and of the harbour from interesting points of vantage in public gardens and squares up on the hills, mountain views with pine woods, chains of mountains crested with fortifications that date back to the old Republic, several rows of cypresses among olive groves on the hills and spacious excellent gardens scattered about the town, introduce a note of majesty and create an overwhelming spirit of timelessness that still covers the town.
 
 You can admire unique palaces everywhere here,  wide or narrow streets,  palaces that belong to the 17th century which had been restored and renovated  the last years, but  they kept their unique original design. Beautiful courts that belong to the 15th century from which  delightful little porches with  vaulted ceilings appear with imposing marble staircases, sometimes mounted within the buildings, offer spectacular views and exclusive decoration that surprisingly remind of the last centuries, preserving a treasured style.
 
The mystery of frescoed decorations awakens nice memories of a past life. The small churches with their doors opening on small solitary squares appeal silently and tranquil to visitors. Unforgettable sensations follow interesting thoughts, overtaking and mingling with impressions especially when leaving the main arteries, because it lets you to enter into the ancient part of the town where every stone speaks of history and shows the real soul of Genoa.
 
The ancient town had never had a private centre, a place that could be considered the heart of the town,  other than the harbour towards which all the narrow streets converged.
 

Major attractions in Genoa

 
The Columbus Celebration of 1992 has served as an inspiration for  a grand project of urban restoration and renovation, meant to convert the city into an ancient source of pride. The project included the restoration of the area that housed the Porto Antico, also called the Old Port, the Acquario, and the famous  museum Strada Nuova. Nowadays  this remarkable area stands as a testimony to Genoa's lively and grandiose renewal.
 
The Cathedral of San Lorenzo
 
The wonderful cathedral in Genoa is easy to distinguish from a long distance, thanks to its distinctive black and white striped facade, which transforms it into a veritable pearl of the town. The Capella del San Giovanni Battista is beautifully located inside the cathedral. It represents a chapel designed in the honor  of St.John the Baptist. Many people think that this is also the resting place of the relics of the saint. One of the most memorable stories of modern times that the cathedral lived, reminds of a night when a bomb landed on the cathedral during the Second World War. It failed to detonate however, and this gorgeous historical attraction survived to this day intact, and overwhelms its guests.
 
The Biosphere
 
Biosfera represents a dome-shaped greenhouse, located on the seafront, home to an ecosystem in miniature. Within the Biosfera itself is housed a tropical environment, carefully completed with exotic birds, plants and different colourful butterflies. This "Glass Bubble" was designed by the architect Renzo Piano dedicated to a very important meeting that took place in Genoa in July 2001.
This Biosphere  is close to the Acquarium and houses different types of ferns. Due to a delicated and unique system of sails its tropical environment is well protected from the direct irradiation given by sun. Inside the Bubble the vistors will get to see some small animals, such as iguanas, butterflies, colourful birds form Brasil, cacatua, tangare.
This is a miraculous place where the guests can learn a lot of things due to the generous aid of the biologists who will be guiding them during their visit. It provides with a lot of useful information.
 
The Aquarium of Genoa
 
The Aquarium of Genoa is one of the main cultural attractions in Italy. It features 70 fish-tanks and more than 6000 animals, offering  a new exciting adventure in a marvelous water ambience every year. The guests have the opportunity to admire the Coral Reef, the Pluvial Forest, the Mediterranean depths, the Hummingbird Forest, the Caribbeans Ocean and the incredible Antarctic life. It seems like taking an emotional excursion across the immensity of the ocean. Here you will live a unique experience, exploring a huge universe full of strange figures and amazing creatures. Seals, dolphins, penguins, sharks, and fish of all sizes and colours will fascinate and accompany you along this enchanting itinerary, where to discover the charming marine world. The younger visitors can help feed the animals at special organized feeding times. Genoa's Aquarium is designated to be the one of the top attractions of its kind in Europe, attracting thousands of tourists each year.
 
Trekking Fortresses Genoa
 
A precious jewel for the town is its fortification runing from the Lanterna to Carignano along the Mount Peralto ridge, thus surrounding the town. A green and fantastic route soon became an urban park that is now available above the town, offering a stunning view over the harbour. Very near above the town centre is the Parco Urbano delle Mura, which extends on a territory of  about 850 hectares, located behind the town. These important landscapes were further reinforced in the 18th and 19th centuries in addition of the incredible fortresses. The Genoese, then the French and again the Piedmontese completed the fortresses. The present fortress was founded in 1700. It represents an outstanding strong three-storied fortress, that features officer lodgings, warehouses, a powder magazine and other delicate rooms. The remarkable interiors and also  the courts very often house artistic performances. The fortress was beautifully surrounded by two star-shaped bulwarks. Forte Puin was constructed in 1828 by the Savoy Engineer Corps. This veritable and very well- kept fortress is located in an excellent area and dominates the whole Parco delle Mura. The fortress was recently renovated, and it is now an ideal destination for excursions, for didactic, recreational and naturalistic itineraries, guided visits and naturalistic exhibitions.
 
Rolli Palace
 
 Starting with the 13th July 2006 the Strada Nuova,  and Rolli palaces have been included in the Unesco World Heritage. The Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli, in Genoa feature a treasured historic centre that was built between late 16th and early 17th centuries, considered  the first example in Europe of an urban development project . The Rolli palaces were wonderful residences erected by the most wealthy  and most powerful aristocratic families of the Republic of Genoa. The overwhelming site has an ensemble of Renaissance and Baroque palaces perfectly lined on the Strada Nuova. The palaces are originally three or four levels high and feature spectacular open staircases. The palaces also offer an original example of a network of public hospitality houses for public official visits, being some notable spaces that relate enchanting moments of glorious history.
 
The Genoa Boat Show was initially organized in January 1962, and at that time it was a really small exhibition with just 30.000 square meters inside the Genoa Trade Fair, dedicated to a very restricted public. Starting from 1966 the Genoa Boat Show  was organized in collaboration with an association of nautical industries, with the main supporter of Genoa Boat Show as well. Nowadays the Genoa Boat Show is recognized even from the  International Federation Boat Show Organizer and it  became a  bigger end more famous year after year.  Genoa Boat Show comprises  an area of about 288.000 square meters. Genoa Boat Show is now the leader of the European boat manifestations. It is a lovely and intriguing event especially for those who like to partcipate in such show, full of exciting suprises and interesting adventures.
 
Saint Agostino Museum 
 
The Saint Augustine Museum is located in an old Bishop house, being a benchmark of Genoa social and cultural life. In the pleasant atmosphere around the cloisters, the tourists can enjoy the splendor of its masterpieces and touch carefully with their hands the fusion of art styles between the Middle age and the Modern Age. Over 4.000 works are displayed in this superb museum.  There are headstones, metal and architectural sculptures, epigraphs, goldsmith works, ceramics and terracotta, frescos from religious and civilian structures. The visitors can also adimre some special sectors dedicated to wood , ivory and veneration sculptures. Some of the most popular attractions  are The Margherita Bramante’s Funeral Monument made by Giovanni Pisano, the Madonna with the Child,designed by Pierre Puget which are particularly very famous, followed by  the incredible Penitent Madonna by Antonio Canova, considered one of the most adorable and famous masterpieces of the European 18th and 19th centuries, really precious pieces of art.
 

Nice experiences in Genoa

 
The architect  Renzo Piano also redesigned the oldest part of the port, following the idea of "restoring the sea to Genoa". Thanks to his design there  is rising up a large venue for cultural events, conventions, museums, exhibitions, shows, and entertainment. The tourists and locals both enjoy lovely memories while  walking along the sea, or while admiring the panoramic Bigo elevator, the Città dei Bambini, enjoying exciting adventures at the ice skating rink, a multi-theatre Cineplex, the Acquario, and many more. Genoa reserves  fantastic sightseeing places that are truly amazing landmarks, that reflect the whole interesting history of the town. Its palaces and galleries, bursting with fine art are lined around one of the greatest streets in Italy, Via Garibaldi. Extravagant and sophysticated rococo rooms with pretty paintings, sculptures, tapestries and Oriental ceramics are contained in the luxurious 17th-century Palazzo Reale. The city’s Casa de Colombo is another valuable landmark that lies next to Porta Soprana. The remarkable house was carefully renovated and redesigned and remains a popular attraction among the residence of the town. Nowadays the tiny house is beautifully furnished in a special style, reminding of the Christopher Columbus childhood’s years.
   
All the picturesque landscapes of the town make it more and more miraculous, attracting tourists through  its originality and creativity. It preserves also the timelesness air which charms the locals and the tourists as well, combining some extraordinar styles and decorations, that belong to our days, not neglecting the old and beautiful ones. The city is a perfect gateway to a world full of wonders, of micales, with amazing palaces and churches, modern skyscrapers and exciting entertainment, where to spend splendid days. The visitors can get to find the absolutely wanted relaxation and tranquility here. It is like a great refuge in a small piece of Paradise.
 




Others The best touristic attractions in Portofino, Italy .


Portofino is a small and  a lovely town located in the province of Genoa, in the Northern Italian region of Liguria, being also a part of the Italian Riviera.
This landscaping and amazing half-moon shaped seaside town boasts a large variety of gorgeous shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, luxury hotels and breathtaking places.
This small fishing village opens attractive places that truly fascinate the tourists with its majestic beauty.
Check out the best touristic destinations in Portofino and make your own decision based on real facts.

Images of Genoa, icons, photos, figures, visions, appearances, illustrations, snapshots, captures, canvas and pictures of Genoa - The best touristic attractions in Portofino, Italy

Genoa - Majestic view
Genoa - Majestic view

Genoa - Great place
Genoa - Great place

Genoa - Palazzo Ducale
Genoa - Palazzo Ducale

Genoa - Port view
Genoa - Port view

Genoa - Boat show
Genoa - Boat show

Genoa - Fantastic harbour
Genoa - Fantastic harbour

Genoa - Amazing view
Genoa - Amazing view

Genoa - Large view
Genoa - Large view