Page 66 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

64  GENO A AREA B Y AREA

t Porto Antico

The old port was the obvious venue for the staging of the
Columbus celebrations of 1992, and these provided a perfect
opportunity to restore the link between the port, which with
the Centro Storico, was for centuries detached from the rest
of the city. This project was undertaken by local architect
Renzo Piano, who also transformed the district into an
attraction in its own right. He did this by restoring disused Porta del Molo
buildings such as the 19th-century cotton warehouses – Also known as Porta Siberia,
now a multiplex cinema and exhibition centre – and by this gate was built in 1553 by
Galeazzo Alessi. It was designed as
constructing landmarks such as Il Bigo and the Aquarium, a defensive bulwark for the port
the design of which includes maritime motifs, and as a place for the collection
emphasizing the history of this district. of taxes.

. Il Bigo
Inspired by the masts of a ship
and designed by Renzo Piano,
Il Bigo features a revolving
panoramic lift. From a height
of 40 m (130 ft), this offers great
views over the port and city.

KEY
1 Museo Nazionale
dell’Antartide Felice Ippolito is
housed in the restored Millo building
(1876). This museum features faithful
re-creations of polar animal habitats,
and also scale models of the Italian
base in Antarctica (Baia Terra Nova).
2 Boat trips are the only way to
reach certain areas otherwise closed
to visitors. From the quays of Porto
Antico, boats offer guided tours
lasting around 45 minutes. The
bustle and activity of the port are
fascinating and there is a
breathtaking panorama of the city
from the sea.
3 La Città dei Bambini is the
foremost educational/entertainment
centre in Italy, aimed at children.
The high-tech, hands-on, “play and
learn” park includes two different
routes, aimed at 3–5-year-olds and 0 metres 100
6–14-year-olds. 0 yards 100

For hotels and restaurants in this area see p180 and pp188–9

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