Genoa

We arrive in Genoa in bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. It is the birth place of Christopher Columbus, and his statue is outside the main station. Vera tells me that she was taught that it was Amerigo Vespucci that discovered the S American continent before Columbus. The historical record here seems somewhat opaque, but Amerigo certainly seems to have lent his name to two continents.

It is three hours before we can check in to our accommodation, so time for a nice lazy lunch

We head down to the waterfront area, past the Nautical Museum (closed) which has a submarine and full-size replica galley amongst its exhibits

We settle ourselves in at a quayside restaurant. Food excellent, beer very refreshing

The waterfront area of this Unesco World Heritage city is bisected by this elevated motorway, which does little for the line of elegant buildings lining the old port area

We are staying in a first floor apartment of this large and solid old building. By some oversight I have no photos of the interior, but we were on a low ceilinged mezzanine floor with wooden beams and a multitude of pictures. Very much tree themed

It is reached through a warren of narrow streets that form the heart of the historical city. Each alley looks much like another, but luckily one of Vera’s superpowers is recognising places that she has been before and so is able to navigate around much better than I can

If you are going to visit Genoa, and it has a lot to recommend it, don’t visit on a Sunday and Monday. We are here on exactly those days and find that many museums, galleries and palazzos are closed on those days.

But still lots to see. Here the Banda Faldiera drum band entertain the crowd. Note the disjointed figure looking over the crowd.

This is part of a series of sculptures from Moroccan born artist Bruno Catalano focussing on displaced people

Even though a lot of the Palazzos are closed during our stay, others are privately owned but allow access to the entrances, beyond which lie grand staircases and beautiful courtyards

The sightseeing train is an excellent way to tour the city. Like a small five year old Vera has been nagging to go on this ride, and is so happy to be finally granted her wish.

It is a wonderfully ridiculous way to be shown some of the sights, and it’s fun to wave at people passing in the street

We get to go outside the largely medieval area we have been in and see some of the fabulously ornate buildings in the more modern town. It makes us appreciate how little we have seen of this place. The building in the foreground above used to belong to Christopher Columbus

One of the more interesting venues was a small biodome, containing tropical plants and birds flying around. Above is a Scarlet Ibis and a Cockatoo. Reduced rates, €3.50 each, applied for the over 65s, and the woman on the ticket desk allowed me the reduced rate as Vera’s gigalo

Also a lot of finches

As ever, there are a multitude of churches

and basilicas

and lots of public art

 

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