Page 244 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

242 І NOR THWEST IT AL Y

Exploring Genoa P Palazzo Reale
Via Balbi 10. Tel 010 271 02 36. Open
Visitors are well rewarded when they explore Genoa – a city 9am–7pm Tue–Sat, 1:30–7pm Sun
proud of its history and legends. The palazzi of Via Balbi and (last adm: 30 mins before closing).
Via Garibaldi, and the paintings and sculptures dotted around Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec. & 7
∑ palazzorealegenova.beni
the city in churches and museums, are among the finest in culturali.it
northwestern Italy. The environs, too, provide scenic and This austere-looking residence,
relaxing locations for excursions along the coast or in the used by the Kings of Savoy from
steep hills behind. the 17th century onwards, has a
highly ornate Rococo interior –
What remained notably its ballroom and its Hall
were two ruined of Mirrors. Among the paintings
cloisters – one of is a Crucifixion by Van Dyck.
which forms the The garden, which slopes down
only triangular towards the old port, includes an
building in Genoa. intriguing cobblestone mosaic
The cloisters have around the central fountain,
been converted depicting houses and animals.
into the Museo di Opposite the palace is the old
Architettura e University (1634) designed by
Scultura Ligure. Bartolomeo Bianco, as was
The museum much of Via Balbi. The large
contains the city’s building brilliantly overcomes
The courtyard of the University on Via Balbi collection of archi- Genoa’s hilly topography, and is
tectural pieces, constructed on four levels.
R Sant’Agostino some dating back to the Roman
Piazza Sarzano 35. Tel 010 251 12 63. era, along with fragments of P Palazzo Bianco
Museo di Archi tettura e Scultura Ligure: sculpture and frescoes – all Via Garibaldi 11. Tel 010 557 21 93.
Tel 010 251 12 63. Open 9am–7pm salvaged from Genoa’s other Open 9am–7pm Tue–Sat (to 6pm Tue,
Tue–Sat (6pm Tue), 9am–7:30pm Sun destroyed churches. The finest 9pm Fri), 9:30am–7:30pm Sun (Nov–
(Nov–Mar: 8:30am–6pm Tue–Fri, piece is a magnificent fragment Mar: 8:30am–6pm Tue–Fri, 9:30am–
9:30am–6:30pm Sat & Sun). from the tomb of Margaret of 6:30pm Sat & Sun). & Palazzo Rosso:
Closed public hols. & 7 Tel 010 275 91 85. Open as for Palazzo
Brabant, who died in 1311.
This Gothic church was begun She was the wife of Emperor Bianco. & Palazzo Tursi: Tel 010 557 21
in 1260, but it was bombed to Henry VII, who invaded Italy in 93. Open as for Palazzo Bianco. & 7
pieces in World War II. It is now 1310. Carved by Giovanni Pisano The Palazzo Bianco is situated
deconsecrated and all that around 1313, the sculptures on Genoa’s most beautiful street,
remains of the original building from her tomb were restored Via Garibaldi, where there are
is the fine Gothic bell tower, and repositioned in 1987. numerous fine 16th-century
decorated with coloured tiles. The figures, whose garments mansions and palazzi. It houses
The monastery, of which the are arranged in simple folds, the city’s prime collection of
church of Sant’Agostino was seem to be helping Margaret paintings, including works by
once a part, was also bombed. to lie down to rest. many Genoese artists such as
Christopher Columbus in Genoa
The name of Cristoforo Colombo, or Christopher Columbus, as English
speakers know him, is in evidence all over Genoa. A statue of the explorer
of the New World greets you as soon as you
emerge in Piazza Acquaverde from Porta
Principe railway station; various public
buildings bear his name; even the airport is
named after him. In the 17th-century Palazzo
Belimbau, built on top of the old city walls, is a
series of frescoes by the local artist Tavarone
A portrait of Columbus, Villa celebrating the explorer’s life, and you can see
Doria at Pegli three of his letters in the Sala del Sindaco in
Palazzo Tursi (the city hall) on Via Garibaldi. It is
not certain whether Columbus (c.1451–1506) was born in Genoa, in Savona,
15 km (9 miles) to the west, or even outside Italy. However, city registers mention
his father, a weaver, and various family homes within the city. The small ivy-clad
house adjacent to Porta Soprana may have been Columbus’s childhood home, The house where Columbus
where he first discovered his passion for the sea. may have lived

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp565–9 and pp584–90

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 13th June 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm