The two-tone arcades of Via Venti Settembre in Genoa.
The two-tone arcades of Via Venti Settembre in Genoa are one of the most distinctive and fascinating architectural elements of the city. Via Venti Settembre is one of the main arteries of the center of Genoa and its arcades are known for their elegant two-tone decorations, a typical decorative style that uses two contrasting colors to create suggestive visual effects.

Typically, the two-tone effect is achieved using white marble and black slate, a local stone very common in Ligurian architecture. This contrast of colors creates a very strong and distinctive visual effect.
The decorative motifs in the porticos often include geometric designs, such as stripes, diamonds, and zigzag patterns. These designs are designed to enhance the contrast between the two colors.
Many of the buildings along Via Venti Settembre date back to the Italian Liberty (Art Nouveau) period, and the two-tone effect is used to emphasize the sinuous lines and floral details typical of this style.
In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the two-tone effect also has a practical function, as dark stones, such as slate, are more resistant to wear and stains, so they are often used in areas subject to pedestrian traffic.
The two-tone effect is not only an aesthetic choice, but also has a cultural and historical significance. It reflects the skill of the Genoese craftsmen and the historical richness of the city. It is an example of how architecture can incorporate artistic elements that tell a story and create a unique identity for a place.

Along Via Venti Settembre, some of the most iconic buildings with two-tone porticos include:
Palazzo della Borsa: an example of Art Nouveau architecture with elaborate decorations.
Chiesa della Consolazione: although not directly part of the porticos, it is a nearby landmark with a façade that incorporates two-tone elements.
Palazzi dei Rolli: some of the historic buildings along the street display this type of decoration, although the Rolli themselves are better known for other architectural features.

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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon EF-S 10-18.

Where is the street located:

Via XX Settembre is one of the main roads in the centre of Genoa within the Genoese district of San Vincenzo, just under a kilometre long. It runs in an east-west direction and, together with Corso Italia – the promenade that runs along the seafront – is one of the favourite places for strolls by the Genoese. It crosses the two central districts of Portoria (first section, portico, from Piazza De Ferrari to the Monumental Bridge) and San Vincenzo (from the Monumental Bridge to the outlet on Via Cadorna near Piazza della Vittoria.
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The two-tone arcades of Via Venti Settembre in Genoa – Les arcades bicolores de la Via Venti Settembre à Gênes – Las arcadas bicolores de Via Venti Settembre en Génova – As arcadas bicolores da Via Venti Settembre em Gênova – Die zweifarbigen Arkaden der Via Venti Settembre in Genua – Mái vòm hai tông màu của Via Venti Settembre ở Genoa

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.