GOING TO GENOA, ITALY
I am going to a conference in Genoa, Italy, next month and am thinking of extending my stay to explore for a few days. Is it worthwhile tourism destination? — S. Fraser
Genoa (Genova in Italian) was a powerful port and banking city, even before the rise of the Roman Empire and an independent citystate during the Middle Ages. Today it is the capital of Liguria region and a popular port of call on cruise itineraries. Given its long and splendid history, it is certainly worth exploring. Some of the highlights include:
● The pedestrianised Via Giuseppe Garibaldi is one of the Strade Nuove (“new streets”) built by the Genoese in the mid-16th century to house their richest citizens. The streets were declared a Unesco world heritage site in 2006, along with the Palazzi dei Rolli, a collection of grand palaces.
Three palazzi — Rosso, Bianco and Doria-Tursi — make up the Musei di Strada Nuova, which holds a fine collection of old masters.
● The Palazzo San Giorgio on the Piazza Caricamento dates back to 1260. This former jail is where Marco Polo dictated the tales of his travels in 1298 to his cellmate, Rustichello.
● You can also visit a site associated with Genoa’s most famous son: Christopher Columbus. Casa Museo di Colombo is an 18thcentury reconstruction of the house in which the explorer, born in 1451, grew up.
● The 76m Lanterna, the icon of the city, is the highest lighthouse of the Mediterranean and the second-tallest in Europe.
● The Old Port was revamped in 1992 and is now a hub of eateries and bars. It is also where you’ll find Il Bigo, a “panoramic lift” that hoists passengers 40m up for stellar views.
If you plan to cover much ground, consider the Genoa Museum Card (from €12). It will get you discounted entrance to several of the city’s best sights — the list of which is also a useful starting point for narrowing down your must-sees. See visitgenoa.it