Karl WP Beyer In terms of population, Genoa ranks sixth in the ranking of major Italian cities. The city with almost 600.000 inhabitants is located on the Gulf of the same name. It is the capital of the Liguria region.
Due to its location, Genoa faces the sea. The city was built along the natural harbor and on the slopes of the steeply rising Apennine Mountains. This inevitably led to more compact structures and houses with many storeys.
Genoa seen from the sea
Genoa - history
Little is known about the city's early days. The discovery of a 4th century BC Greek cemetery BC suggests that Greek merchants and seafarers once lived in the region.
Roman settlers are first mentioned in the year 216 BC. Chr. Reported. The Romans were followed by the Lombards and Carolingians, who, like everywhere in Italy, also left traces in Genoa. Thanks to the diligence and skill of its merchants and seafarers, the Republic of Genoa rose to become a colonial power in the Mediterranean region in the early Middle Ages.
Villa del Principe - The Prince's Seat
The city was at the height of their rule La superba, the magnificent one, called. Even today, countless palaces and representative buildings in the area of the old town bear witness to the former beauty, splendor and importance of Genoa.
View from the Belvedere to the Palazzi Doria Tursi and Rosso
Genoa's change
After the Second World War, the industrial and port city took on an important economic role alongside Milan and Turin. With 816.000 people, the highest population was reached in 1971. In the 1980s, the economic status was lost as a result of permanent structural change. The result: the population fell rapidly.
The reputation and economic strength of Genoa improved effectively through the implementation of the following measures:
- The expansion of the Porto Antico a tourist attraction in the 1990s.
- The declaration of Genoa for European Capital of Culture in the year 2004.
- The appreciation of parts of the old town as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in the year 2006.
Porto Antico
Genoa - Liguria's economic, scientific and cultural center
After the industrial decline, Genoa reinvented itself as a service location.
Today the city lives primarily from trade, trade fairs, tourism and the port. Genoa has been a port city since the 11th or 12th century. The city currently ranks second among Italy's ports after Trieste. The port plays a leading role in the Mediterranean area in terms of the existing handling capacities. The ferry services to the Maghreb states and visits by cruise ships are also important.
Stazione Marittima - berth for ferry and cruise ships
Genoa has been a university location since 1471. At that time, a university was founded by papal order. About 37.000 students are at the today University of the Studies in Genova enrolled. Teaching takes place at the main location as well as in Savona, Imperia and La Spezia. In addition to the university, a music academy, an art academy and an academy for the merchant navy are maintained.
University of the Studies in Genova
The wide spiritual and cultural offer includes churches, museums and theaters. The oldest bookstore in Italy, Libreria Bozzi, has also been based in the city since 1810.
San Lorenzo Cathedral - central nave
Genoa - for cruise ship guests
For the visitors of Genoa, including the guests of cruise ships, the city proves to be a versatile and fascinating stage destination. The pulsating Genoa offers you a multitude of sights. One day is not enough to discover them all. We present our top attractions under Genoa - Sights. Another advantage for visitors is the relative proximity to the picturesque village Portofino as well as Cinque Terre World Heritage Site. These destinations can be visited from Genoa by Trenitalia trains and excursion boats.
Portofino
