A major Mediterranean port and city-state, the powerful Republic of Genoa dominated trade routes and naval commerce throughout the Middle Ages. Its harbor fostered shipbuilding, maritime trade and exploration, connecting it to markets across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. Today, Genoa’s economy and culture remain closely linked to its port and maritime industries.
La Lanterna di Genova
La Lanterna di Genova. has guided ships for 900 years.
The iconic lighthouse of Genoa (La Lanterna di Genova) is a beloved landmark and the symbol of Genoa’s rich maritime history. First built in 1128 and extensively restored in 1543, after the original tower was damaged by a storm, it is one of the oldest still operational lighthouses in the world. Standing at a height of 77 meters (253 feet), it has been a guiding light for ships entering the port for the past 900 years.
Palazzo San Giorgio
The frescoed Renaissance facade of the Palazzo San Giorgio dominates the Old Port.
At the edge of the Old Port (Porto Antico), the Palazzo San Giorgio has been overseeing the docks since the 13th century. Its blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and especially its façade adorned with vibrant frescoes, makes it a major focal point of the waterfront. And its checkered history is fascinating.
The Palazzo was commissioned in 1260 by Guglielmo Boccanegra, the then ruler of the city-state, to serve as the center of municipal authority. However, after Boccanegra’s political fall in 1262, his ambitious project floundered, and the palace was eventually repurposed as a prison. Famously, Marco Polo was held there after being captured by the Genoese during the Battle of Curzola in 1298. And this is where he dictated the tales of his travels across Asia to fellow inmate Rustichello da Pisa. These accounts, subsequently published as “The Travels of Marco Polo”, became one of the medieval world’s most influential sources on Asia.
On the upper floor, La Sala del Capitano (Captain’s Hall) remains open to visitors.
Fast forward to 1407, when the Palazzo became the headquarters of the Bank of Saint George, newly founded to manage the city’s public debt. As one of the oldest chartered banks in Europe, it became a forerunner of modern financial institutions, managing state revenues, public works, and even governing overseas territories. The bank survived until the fall of the Republic in 1797, finally ceasing operations in 1805.
Today the palace houses the Port Authority. The interior is not fully accessible to the public, as the building serves mainly administrative functions. However, selected rooms are open for special events and guided visits, offering a look at frescoed halls and restored spaces linked to the palace’s financial and political past.
Acquario di Genova
The aquarium showcases over 12 000 marine animals in diverse ecosystems.
A few steps away on the Old Port, the Aquarium is one of Europe’s most significants, with 70 tanks housing approximately 12,000 marine animals representing over 600 species. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and inaugurated in 1992, it features diverse ecosystems, including the Cetacean Pavilion with bottlenose dolphins, the Shark Bay with various shark species, and a tropical tank where manatees are the main attraction.
The vast rooftop offers a panoramic vista of Genoa’s skyline and harbor, offering a unique perspective of the city’s exceptional blend of history and modernity.
Galata Museo del Mare
The Nazario Sauro submarine is open to visitors.
As short ten-minute walk along the waterfront, the Galata Museum of the Sea showcases Genoa’s seafaring history. Designed by Spanish architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra and inaugurated in 2024, it is the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean. Highlights include full-scale ship reconstructions, including a 17th century Genoese galley, historical maps, navigation instruments, and exhibits on migrations and transatlantic voyages. The museum also features a submarine, the Nazario Sauro, which visitors can explore to experience life underwater.
Modern Explorers
In Genoa, the Age of Discovery didn’t end in the 17th century. The 19th century also contributed several explorers of note, two of whom have left us remarkable museums.
Museo Edoardo Chiossone
The collection features thousands pieces of Japanese art.
Edoardo Chiossone (1833-1898) was an noted engraver, painter and art collector who, in 1875, was invited to Japan to set up and manage the engraving division of the Imperial Printing Bureau. Over the next two decades, he designed Japan’s first modern banknotes, introduced advanced printing techniques and revolutionized the country’s currency system. An avid collector of Japanese art, he accumulated over 15,000 pieces during his stay.
The collection includes unique 19th century theater masks.
Upon his death, he bequeathed his entire collection to the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts in Genoa, to be displayed permanently to the public. Inaugurated in 1905, the Edoardo Chiossone Museum showcases his extensive collections of vintage paintings, Buddhist sculptures, weaponry and textiles. It is considered one of the most important collections of Japanese and Eastern art in Europe.
Museo delle Culture del Mondo
The Turkish Lounge is reconstituted with artifacts from the Ottoman Empire.
We owe this fascinating Museum of World Cultures to Enrico D’Albertis (1846–1932), a dedicated navigator, explorer, writer and ethnologist who led an extraordinary life of adventure and discovery. He undertook voyages across the Atlantic and Pacific, circumnavigating the globe three times and Africa once. In 1891, he also retraced Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage from southern Spain to San Salvador. Using period-appropriate navigation instruments that he had reconstructed himself, he reached the coast in just 27 days.
The Neo-Gothic Castello D’Albertis now houses the Museum of World Cultures.
Meanwhile, D’Albertis designed and built his Neo-Gothic Genoa residence, Castello D’Albertis, between 1886 and 1892. Located on the Montegalletto hill overlooking the port and city, the castle showcases his extensive collection of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts, as well as nautical memorabilia, photographs, and natural specimens gathered from his travels across five continents. Upon his death in1932, he donated his castle and collections to the city of Genoa, where they now form the core of the Museum of World Cultures.
The rooftop terrace of the Aquarium offers a panoramic view of the Genoa harbor..
Good to Know
- Getting There — Genoa is located on the Mediterranean coast, in the northwestern part of Italy, about 200 kilometers (125 miles ) southeast of Milan, 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of Rome, and 150 kilometers (100 miles) east of the French border. By Air—Genoa’s Cristoforo Colombo Airport is approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of the city center. It handles both domestic and international flights from major cities within Europe. By Train — There are frequent daily train connections between Genoa and other major Italian cities. By Road — The A8/A10 highway offers scenic routes along the Mediterranean coast, between the South of France and Genoa.
- Getting around — The waterfront is accessible on foot from the Historic Center and via public transport, including the San Giorgio metro station.
- Visiting — Museo Edoardo Chiossone , Piazzale Giuseppe Mazzini 4, 16122 Genoa. Is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Commonly referred to as Castello D’Albertis, the Museo delle Culture del Mondo , 18 Corso Dogali, 16136 Genoa is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm , and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. It is closed on Monday and major holidays.
A Few Souvenirs
