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Genoa Italy
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| Genoa is located in the northern area of Italy. It is the capital city of the region of Liguria, as well as of the province of Genoa, and at the same time, it is an important seaport. The city, located on the Gulf of Genoa, is Italy's primary port. In the ancient times, Genoa was where the Ligurians used to reside, and they were who gave shape to the origins of the amazing city it is today.
The origin of the name of this city is based on the Ligurian word for "knee" or "angle." Genoa received its name due to its geographical location – at the 'angle' of the Italian peninsula's attachment to the mainland. | |
According to historians and anthropologists, the first settlements that existed in Genoa date from as long ago as the 6th century BC, when a group of Greeks arrived at this area of Italy. Besides this, and according to some archaeological discoveries, it is also believed that the harbor or port of Genoa was used before these first settlements even appeared, probably in the époque in which the Etruscans would commercialize important amounts of products in this region. Towards the year 1100, the city of Genoa became a city state partially independent and only controlled by the Bishop of Genoa. A while after that, this city became part of what was known as the Maritime Republics, together with other cities such as Pisa, Venice and Amalfi. During this époque, the Republic of Genoa annexed a large territory, including what is today called Sardinia, Corsica, Piedemont, and Liguria. Since its origins, the town of Genoa has gone through a wide variety of interesting and important historical events, and this is one of the most appealing aspects the city offers to all those who wish to spend a vacation in it. Genoa has been the birthplace and hometown of more than its fair share of important and famous people. Among the celebrities who have been born in Genoa, we can name, for example, Christoper Columbus, the Nobel Prize winner Eugenio Montale, the poet Edoardo Sanguineti, the singer Fabrizio de André, and the actor Vittorio Gassman, among many others. Today, the population of Genoa is just over 600,000 residents. |
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There are many interesting facts that tourists should know when they plan to travel to Genoa. One first important fact is that this city's port is the main of its kind in Italy, and second (after the port of Marseille) in the entire Mediterranean region. Besides this, this city counts with one of the most impressive and largest collections of Oriental art that visitors could find in all of modern Europe. It is also interesting to know that the port of Genoa has the oldest working lighthouse in the world, known as "*La Lanterna." There are an amazing number of interesting places to visit during a vacation in Genoa. One of these places is the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo or the St. Lawrence Cathedral, a very attractive and antique construction which all those who enjoy meeting ancient religious buildings should not miss. Also, when planning to travel to Genoa, tourists should try to include a visit to the Palazzo Ducale, the Porto Antico or Old Harbor (nowadays converted into a shopping mall), and the constructions and statues of Via Garibaldi. |
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* The Lanterna lighthouse of Genoa is a symbol of Genoa, and the most important lighthouse of the city. It is a 77-metre-high tower, made of two blocks, square in section, roughly of the same height, and both with a projecting terrace. Built on a rock of 40 meters of height, the top of the Lanterna stands at 117 meters above the sea level. Its light is visible from more than 50 kilometers away. The Lanterna has welcomed vessels and boats and guided them into the harbor for centuries. The Lanterna, as we see it today, was built in 1543; unofficial sources, however, date back to 1128 the building on this site of the first tower intended to assist navigators. To change Centigrade to Fahrenheit use the formula (#°x9/5)+32. |
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