We arrived at the Stazione Principe--Genoa's main train station.
Genoa was the boyhood home of Christopher Columbus (there's debate about whether or not it was also his birthplace) and there is a statue honoring him near the Stazione Principe.
At the base of the statue are reliefs of key events in his life. This one depicts him before the Council of Salamanca as he proposed his voyage to the new world.
Continuing down Via Balbi, you'll find the Museo Palazzo Reale--the Royal Palace Museum. It was built in 1650 for the Balbi family then became one of the royal palaces in 1824. The galleries are filled with paintings by Van Dyck & Tintoretto. There is also a Hall of Mirrors and a Throne Room. Admission is €6.
Further down the street is the University of Genoa. The stairs leading to the entrance are guarded by lions on either side.
Climb the stairs and peek into the inner courtyard.
The Basilica dell'Annunziata is at the end of Via Balbi. The outside isn't anything special but the interior is stunning. There's gold leaf at the top of fluted marble columns and the ceilings are beautifully painted.
Each of the chapels is well decorated.
The buildings in Genoa's historic center are charming. This one features men supporting the structure.
The streets are charming as well. On Via Garibaldi, you'll come across Palazzo Bianco. It was built in the 1530s for Luca Grimaldi and is now a gallery of European paintings from the 12th to the 17th century. Along with the Palazzo Rosso and the Palazzo Doria Tursi, it makes up the Musei di Strada Nuovo collection.
The Teatro Carlo Felice is the main opera house in Genoa.
The Teatro is situated on Piazza dei Ferrari--the central square between historical and modern Genoa.
The Genova sign is on the Piazza dei Ferrari.
Along the walk on Via di San Lorenzo, we found another GROM and stopped for a gelato break. A grande here was €3.30.
Looking down Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, you'll see the Porta Soprana, the best known gate of Genoa's ancient wall. On one side, the towers are square.
The other side of Porta Soparana are rounded.
Nearby is the ruins of the St. Andrew Cloister.
Next to the cloister is a replica of the house in which Christopher Columbus grew up.
From here, it's a 10-minute walk to the port.
The port area has a lot of things to do.
The Aquarium in Genoa is the largest aquarium in Europe.
"Neptune" was a galleon crafted for the set of Roman Polanky's "Pirates."
Neptune with his trident on the bow of the galleon.
Also in the harbor is the Nazario Sauro submarine S518, now a museum.
In the port, you'll find a mural of immigrants arriving in Genoa.
2017 10 06
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