Genoa, the captivating capital of Liguria, is a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty that captures the imagination of every visitor. With its narrow medieval streets, majestic palaces, and lively ancient port, Genoa offers a unique experience that blends the charm of the past with the vibrant energy of the present. We will explore together why Genoa is an unmissable destination for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the beauty and history of the Mediterranean.
Castello di Mackenzie
The Castello Mackenzie in Genoa is a grand residence located in the residential neighborhood of Castelletto, near Piazza Manin and the Casella railway station, 100 meters above sea level. Celebrated as a cultural space during Genoa’s stint as the European Capital of Culture in 2004, it also hosted the Science Festival in the fall of 2006.
Described as a whim of a king, the Castello Mackenzie is considered one of the most successful examples of late 19th-century architectural taste, aiming to recapture the allure of the Middle Ages (the nearby Castello d’Albertis is another example), with references to Gothic and Mannerist styles. Built on a pre-existing rustic villa, itself constructed on the 16th-century Walls of Genoa (whose perimeter walls were reused in the renovation and are visible in the external perimeter), the castle was erected between 1893 and 1905 by Gino Coppedè, a then little-known architect, commissioned by the Florentine insurer Evan Mackenzie. The Mackenzie family lived there for twenty-seven years until Evan’s death. Various artisans, sculptors, blacksmiths, and painters, including Gino’s brother Giorgio Coppedè, worked on the castle alongside the architect.
Palazzo Doria Tursi
The Palazzo Doria Tursi, also known as Palazzo Niccolò Grimaldi, is a building located in the historic center of Genoa. On July 13, 2006, it was included in the list of 42 Rolli Palaces of Genoa, which were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The building houses the headquarters of the Municipality of Genoa and is part of the city’s museum complex.
Acquario di Genova
The Aquarium of Genoa is an extraordinary place of interest, located in the Old Port designed by Renzo Piano. It features 48 tanks that host about 500 species of fish, both Mediterranean and oceanic. The interior was designed by architect Peter Chermayeff. At the time of its inauguration, it was the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. It has since been expanded several times.
The aquarium is owned by Porto Antico di Genova SpA and managed by Costa Edutainment SpA. It was inaugurated in 1992 on the occasion of the Colombiadi, the Expo celebrating the 500th anniversary of the European discovery of America. Once a month, the Aquarium of Genoa offers “Night with the Sharks,” giving up to 35 youngsters per night (aged between 7 and 18) the opportunity to sleep in front of the shark tank, spending an entire night inside the aquarium to learn all about the nocturnal behavior of its inhabitants.
Palazzo del Podestà
The Palazzo del Podestà was built by Nicolosio Lomellino between 1563 and 1569, designed by the Lombard architect Giovanni Battista Castello, known as Il Bergamasco. In 1550, to meet the needs of some Genoese aristocratic families, a new street, today’s Via Garibaldi, was designed to connect the medieval center with the eastern areas, creating a new quarter of magnificence.
The ancient ‘Strada Nuova dei Palazzi’ became an elite zone where the city’s aristocracy, eager for self-celebration, competed to commission elegant residences from the most important architects of the time, who could experiment with innovative solutions here.
The interiors of the Palazzo del Podestà are magnificent, with frescoes and paintings of the highest historical value. The oldest pictorial work in the building is the cycle of frescoes created in 1623-1624 by the Genoese painter Bernardo Strozzi, later hidden due to a dispute with the client Luigi Centurione, who had purchased the building in 1609 from Nicolosio Lomellino.
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