Piazza De Ferrari marks the old and the new of Genoa. The new being the financial district and the old being Old World Genoa.
This incredible fountain was our welcome to this area when we got off our bus.
My photos show the neat trick with the sun in the morning, above, and the late afternoon, below.
It is a great hub of activity in the city.
From here we are heading to Via Garibaldi and where ever our feet take us from there.
The numbers of parked vespas/motorcycles all around the city is staggering. It is incredible.
They are a photographers dream for all the different ways you find them in a city.
Neat faces on the Piazza De Ferrari fountain base.
Every nook and cranny is filled. This is a very wee veggie shop that people wait to go into, as there is only room for no more than 3 at a time. It was a busy spot.
We did a little jig and jag to get down to Via Garibaldi and immediately to my left was a ceramic/pottery store. Can't show you what I purchased because it isn't for me.
I've been back twice...lol.
"Debbie...we are out of tripe....can you pick up some more at the butcher?"
Yikes.
Strada Nuova (New Street), is a group of streets filled with prominent stately homes that belonged to noble Genoese families. In 2006, 42 out of the 163 became UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Via Garibaldi is the location for some of the most beautiful. This street and buildings date back to the 15th century.
Some of the buildings you cannot enter. We peeked in a few of the entrances....and a guard actually let us take a photo or two quietly.
A different mode of transportation and tour guide with this friendly young woman....who speaks perfect English.
A must in Genoa, is to enjoy, in an outdoor cafe, a cappuccino and a focaccia bread.
Deb loves these. A focaccia is an Italian flat bread, oven baked with many toppings to choose from.
Via Garibaldi chocked full of these majestic homes....well cared for by the Genoese people.
Not sure what Deb did now...but there are two polizia (police) walking towards her and two polizia cars parked behind her?
"We didn't do it."
Some of the 42 buildings are now used as private residences, banks, office buildings, museums, and public buildings.
The "Rolli de Genova" was a list of these grand homes compiled in the year 1556.
When prominent dignitaries came for visits, the owners of these homes on this list, were obliged to host these guests on behalf of the Republic of Genoa. An honour to be sure, and a duty.
Not only impressive on the inside, the exterior decorations of the homes are beautiful.
The colours of Genoa stand out as well. Golds, oranges, reds. Very Old World.
Very Italian.
You are correct if you realize the photo below is not homes on Via Garibaldi. It is a view of the steps people walk everyday to ascend the heights of Genoa. Built on the slope of mountains, it has steps, elevators, funiculars, ramps....and streets, that link the city together.
Deb and I are on the search for a funicular that will take us up, up, up.
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