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21 December 202419 December 2024

The Labours of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola

Le Fatiche di Ercole a Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola

The Labors of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola.
In the heart of Genoa, on Via degli Orefici, is one of the most fascinating portals in the city: The Labors of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola. This sixteenth-century portal, attributed to the master Giacomo Della Porta, is a true masterpiece of sculpture and symbolism.
The portal is decorated with two imposing telamons that rest on monstrous heads: a leonine one and a snarling human one. On the left, a bearded Hercules, wrapped in the skin of the Nemean lion, holds his famous club, obtained from a wild olive tree from Mount Helicon. On the right, a hairless farmer with a relaxed face, also with a club in his hand. At the base of the telamons, two reliefs depict Hercules: one seated with the club and the other in full combat with a lion.
The metopes of the portal feature helmets with screaming heads, clipei and bucrania alternating with corbel triglyphs. In the center, the enigmatic head of winged Medusa stands out. On the entablature, two elegant female figures with drapes and amphorae at the sides frame a moustached mask, placed to replace the original family crest, removed during the Napoleonic period.
This portal is not only an example of artistic mastery, but also a symbol of the rich history of Genoa and its traditions. Walking along Via degli Orefici, one cannot help but admire this hidden treasure, which tells stories of mythological heroes and a glorious past.

Have you ever seen this building in Genoa?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Where is the palace:

For the Genoese it is known as the Labours of Hercules and is the spectacular door of Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola at number 7 of Via Orefici. The sixteenth-century portal is attributed to the master Giacomo Della Porta: on the jambs two telamons rest on monstrous heads (a leonine and a snarling human).
Continue and learn more on Amezena

The Labours of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Les travaux d’Hercule au Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Los trabajos de Hércules en el Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Os Trabalhos de Hércules no Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Die Taten des Herkules im Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Công trình của Hercules tại Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola

The text of the post was written with the help of Copilot, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence.
References:
– https://www.amezena.net/edicole-e-portali/le-fatiche-di-ercole/
– https://www.amezena.net/i-caruggi/via-degli-orefici/

19 December 202419 December 2024

San Matteo square and the Abbey in the heart of Genoa

Piazza San Matteo e l'abbazia nel cuore di Genova

San Matteo square and the Abbey in the heart of Genoa.
In the beating heart of Genoa, among the intricate streets of the historic center, there is a hidden jewel of rare beauty and extraordinary historical importance: Piazza San Matteo and its Abbey. This corner of the city, less known than other tourist destinations, contains centuries of history, art and culture, offering visitors a privileged glimpse of medieval and Renaissance Genoa.
Piazza San Matteo is closely linked to the powerful Doria family, one of the most influential in the Republic of Genoa. It was Andrea Doria, a famous admiral and prominent figure of the 16th century, who transformed this square into the symbol of the power of his family. The square was renovated in 1278, when the Dorias decided to build their residences there, creating a unique and fascinating architectural complex.
The buildings overlooking Piazza San Matteo are characterized by typical medieval architecture, with black and white marble facades, a distinctive sign of the Genoese nobility of the time. The tower houses, which rise majestically, tell of a time when noble families built these structures not only as homes, but also as symbols of power and security.
In the heart of the square stands the Abbey of San Matteo, founded in 1125 by Martino Doria, another illustrious member of the family. This church, which initially served as the private chapel of the Doria family, is an extraordinary example of Romanesque architecture, enriched with Gothic and Renaissance elements over the centuries.
The interior of the abbey is a true treasure chest of artistic treasures. Among the masterpieces kept there are works by Luca Cambiaso, one of the greatest Genoese painters of the sixteenth century, and by Giovanni Battista Castello, known as il Bergamasco. The adjacent cloister, with its elegant arches and columns, offers an oasis of peace and reflection, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Piazza San Matteo and its abbey are not just testimonies of the past, but living places that continue to pulsate with culture and memory. Every year, cultural events and demonstrations enliven the square, making it a meeting point for Genoese and visitors. Guided tours allow you to discover the stories and secrets that lie behind every stone, making each visit a unique experience.

San Matteo square and the Abbey are an essential stop for those who want to know the true essence of Genoa. This hidden corner of the city offers a journey through time, through history, art and tradition, revealing the most authentic and fascinating face of the Superba. Whether you are a history buff, an art lover or simply curious, a visit to Piazza San Matteo will give you unforgettable emotions and discoveries.

Have you ever visited this church and especially its cloister?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

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

There is also a nice official website: parrocchiasanmatteo.org.

To see all the photos I took in the Genoese church, click here:

Martino Doria, who entered the Benedictine friars of the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte after becoming a widower, obtained permission from Bishop Sigifredo to build a small church on land owned by the family near the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The dedication of the new church to San Matteo was linked to his profession as a tax collector, just like the Dorias, who therefore made him their patron.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

Here is where the abbey is located:

The square dedicated to Saint Matthew and the abbey in the heart of Genoa – La place dédiée à Saint Matthieu et l’abbaye au coeur de Gênes – La plaza dedicada a San Mateo y la abadía en el corazón de Génova – A praça dedicada a São Mateus e a abadia no coração de Gênova – Der dem Heiligen Matthäus und der Abtei gewidmete Platz im Herzen von Genua – Quảng trường dành riêng cho Thánh Matthew và tu viện ở trung tâm Genoa

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

10 December 202415 March 2025

Fresh tagliolini with truffle tasted in Genoa

Dei tagliolini fresci al tartufo gustati a Genova

Fresh tagliolini with truffles enjoyed in Genoa.
I have become a truffle lover quite recently but now, every time I find it on a menu, I order it.
Some time ago I was with my wife in the historic center of Genoa and we went to lunch at this famous restaurant.
Aside from the very refined atmosphere, taking advantage of the very old premises where the tables are, I must say that the menu was excellent and these fresh tagliolini with truffles were truly delicious!

Do you like pasta with truffle?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Honor 20.

This is the restaurant's website: labucadisanmatteo.com.

A truffle is the fruiting body of an underground Ascomycota fungus. Most truffles belong to the genus Tuber, but there are also other genera of fungi belonging to this category including Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, Leucangium and over a hundred others. Truffles belong to the class Pezizomycetes and, with a few exceptions, to the order Pezizales. Truffles are mycorrhizal fungi, and therefore grow close to the roots of trees. The dispersal of truffle spores occurs thanks to mycophages, animals that feed on mushrooms.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

Fresh tagliolini with truffles enjoyed in Genoa – Tagliolini frais aux truffes dégustés à Gênes – Tagliolini frescos con trufas disfrutados en Génova – Tagliolini fresco com trufas apreciado em Génova – Frische Tagliolini mit Trüffeln, genossen in Genua – Tagliolini tươi với nấm cục được thưởng thức ở Genoa

8 December 20246 December 2024

The tower of the Nicolosio Lomellino palace in Genoa

La torre del palazzo Nicolosio Lomellino a Genova

The tower of the Nicolosio Lomellino palace, known as the minaret or the mirador, in Genoa.
Every time I happen to pass by Piazza del Portello (to tell the truth, it hasn't happened to me that many times...) I keep my nose in the air to see this tower that is right above the monumental Giuseppe Garibaldi gallery.
The last time I took a photo of it and, to write this post, I discovered that it is part of the splendid Nicolosio Lomellino palace, which has its main entrance on via Garibaldi, and is called the Mirador or Minaret Tower (for its Arabesque style).

Do you know this tower in Genoa?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

This is the official website of the palace: palazzolomellino.org.

Here's where the tower is located:

Minaret of a mosque?… no, the sixteenth-century Mirador of Palazzo Nicolosio Lomellini, the tower, later expanded in the 18th century, with which the coral lords of Tabarca intended to amaze their guests and stun them with wonder.
Continue and learn more on amezena.net

The tower of the Nicolosio Lomellino palace, called the minaret or the mirador, in Genoa – La tour du palais Nicolosio Lomellino, appelée le minaret ou le mirador, à Gênes – La torre del palacio Nicolosio Lomellino, llamada minarete o mirador, en Génova – A torre do palácio Nicolosio Lomellino, chamada minarete ou mirador, em Gênova – Der Turm des Nicolosio Lomellino-Palastes, Minarett oder Mirador genannt, in Genua – Tháp của cung điện Nicolosio Lomellino, được gọi là tháp nhỏ hay mirador, ở Genoa

6 December 20242 December 2024

The Domenicaccio Doria Palace in Genoa

Il palazzo di Domenicaccio Doria a Genova

The Domenicaccio Doria Palace in Genoa.
In the heart of the historic center of Genoa, in Piazza San Matteo, is the suggestive Palazzo di Domenicaccio Doria. This building, dating back to the 14th century, is a perfect example of medieval Genoese architecture, characterized by the typical two-tone decoration with black and white stripes.
The Palazzo di Domenicaccio Doria was built for Domenicaccio Doria, a member of the powerful Doria family, who played a leading role in the history of Genoa. The Doria family, in fact, was one of the most influential in the Republic of Genoa, with numerous members who held important political and military positions.
The building has a portico with three pointed arches, typical of the Gothic style, and a façade decorated with alternating bands of white marble and black Promontorio stone. This style, common to many buildings of the Doria family, gives the palace an elegant and imposing appearance.
Walking through Piazza San Matteo, you can admire not only the Palazzo di Domenicaccio Doria, but also other historic buildings linked to the Doria family, such as the Palazzo di Branca Doria and the Palazzo di Lamba Doria. The square itself, with its Gothic church of San Matteo and cloister, offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval Genoa.
The Palazzo di Domenicaccio Doria is a significant example of the architectural and historical heritage of Genoa. Its strategic location, close to the central Piazza De Ferrari, makes it easily accessible and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. In addition to its architectural beauty, the palace tells the story of one of the most important families of Genoa and their contribution to the history of the city.
The Palazzo di Domenicaccio Doria is a hidden gem in the heart of Genoa, which deserves to be discovered and appreciated. Its unique architecture and fascinating history make it an unmissable destination for art and history lovers. A visit to this palace offers a journey through time, to discover the medieval roots of Genoa and the families who shaped its destiny.

Have you ever seen this building and this square?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

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

Here's where the square is located:

Piazza San Matteo, one of the main squares in the historic center of Genoa, in the Molo district, was the heart of the consortium of one of the most illustrious Genoese families, the Doria. It is located a short distance from the central Piazza De Ferrari, to which it is connected by the short Salita San Matteo. Built in 1278 at the time of the reconstruction of the church of San Matteo, it is substantially preserved in its original appearance. Several palaces of the family, characterized by friezes of small arches and black and white banded facings, surround it entirely, creating an evocative medieval environment that is still lively today.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

The palace of Domenicaccio Doria in Genoa – Le palais de Domenicaccio Doria à Gênes – Palacio de Domenicaccio Doria en Génova – Palácio de Domenicaccio Doria em Génova – Domenicaccio Dorias Palast in Genua – Cung điện của Domenicaccio Doria ở Genoa

The text of the post was written with the help of Copilot, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence.

2 December 202420 March 2025

The beautiful Salita dell’Oro in the heart of Genoa

La bella Salita dell'Oro nel cuore di Genova

The beautiful Salita dell’Oro in the heart of Genoa.
I like to get lost in the alleys of the historic center of Genoa, take pictures and then, when I’m home, look for the names and the history (if there is one) of what I photographed.
This is one of the alleys that from the modern Via Cairoli descend towards Via del Campo and the port.

Do you know this alley in Genoa?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Here's where the street is:

In Genoa, in the area of Via Cairoli, there are the streets of precious metals; the evocative toponymy of the Superba has given us Vico del Piombo, Vico dell’Argento and Salita dell’Oro.
Continue and learn more on dearmissfletcher.com

The beautiful climb of the Oro in the heart of Genoa – La belle montée de l’Oro au coeur de Gênes – La hermosa subida del Oro en el corazón de Génova – A bela subida do Oro no coração de Gênova – Der wunderschöne Aufstieg des Oro im Herzen von Genua – Der wunderschöne Aufstieg des Oro im Herzen von Genua

27 November 202426 November 2024

A couple of photos of the village of Boccadasse in Genoa

A couple of photos of the village of Boccadasse in Genoa.
Some time ago now I took these photos and visited the beautiful village of Boccadasse in the eastern part of the city.
The beautiful village, which overlooks the sea, is very small and crossed by a couple of very characteristic alleys.

Do you know the village of Boccadasse?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Honor 20.

All the photos I took in the village, during different visits, are here:

Where is the village located:

Boccadasse (Boca d’azë or Bocadâze in Genoese) is an ancient seaside village in the city of Genoa, which is part of the Albaro district. In the current administrative division of the municipality of Genoa it is therefore included in the Municipio VIII – Medio Levante, which in addition to Albaro also includes the Foce and San Martino districts.
Continue on Wikipedia

A couple of photos of the village of Boccadasse in Genoa – Quelques photos du village de Boccadasse à Gênes – Un par de fotos del pueblo de Boccadasse en Génova – Algumas fotos da vila de Boccadasse em Gênova – Ein paar Fotos vom Dorf Boccadasse in Genua – Một vài bức ảnh về làng Boccadasse ở Genoa

19 November 202412 November 2024

A palace designed by Raffaele Croce in Genoa

Un palazzo progettato da Raffaele Croce a Genova

A palace designed by Raffaele Croce in Genoa.
I have seen (and I think photographed) this palace located in via XX Settembre, just a short distance from the Ponte Monumentale, several times but by searching and searching I managed to discover that it was designed in 1909 by Raffaele Croce.
I really like its style and colors!

Have you ever seen this building and can you tell me something more?
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Here is where the palace is located:

A palace designed by Raffaele Croce in Genoa – Un palais conçu par Raffaele Croce à Gênes – Un palacio diseñado por Raffaele Croce en Génova – Um palácio projetado por Raffaele Croce em Génova – Ein von Raffaele Croce entworfener Palast in Genua – Một cung điện được thiết kế bởi Raffaele Croce ở Genoa

18 November 20247 August 2024

Details of the Arch of Victory in Genoa

Particolari dell'Arco della Vittoria a Genova

Details of the Arch of Victory in Genoa.
Located in the heart of the beautiful port city of Genoa, the Arch of Victory is a tangible testimony to the glorious history and rich culture of the city. This majestic monument, erected to commemorate the Italian military victories during the First World War, stands as a symbol of resilience, determination and hope.
The Arch of Victory, also known as the “Arch of Triumph”, was designed by the architect Marcello Piacentini and inaugurated in 1931. Its construction was commissioned by the fascist regime of Mussolini to celebrate the Italian victories in the Great War and to honor the fallen.
This imposing monument, characterized by a neoclassical structure and allegorical decorations, represents a tribute to military strength and patriotic sacrifice. The inscriptions engraved on its facades commemorate the battles and heroes who defended the country’s honor and freedom.
The Arch of Victory is a superb example of monumental architecture, characterized by clean lines, harmonious proportions and intricate details. Its imposing shape and Corinthian columns evoke the ancient traditions of Roman architecture, while the allegorical sculptures and decorations add a touch of grandeur and symbolism.
At the top of the arch, a bronze quadriga drawn by four horses represents the triumphal victory, symbolizing the triumph of the Italian nation over enemy forces. This extraordinary work of art embodies the power and determination of the Italian people in pursuing victory and peace.
Today, the Arch of Victory remains not only a historical monument, but also an iconic landmark and a meeting place for the citizens of Genoa and visitors from around the world. It is a symbol of national unity and hope for a better future, a reminder that peace and prosperity can be achieved through cooperation and mutual respect.
Despite the historical controversies surrounding its construction and meaning, the Arch of Victory continues to inspire and provoke reflection on human nature and the consequences of war. It is a reminder that, even in the darkest of situations, the light of hope and dignity can still shine, guiding future generations towards a world of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding.
Ultimately, the Arch of Victory in Genoa is much more than just a monument; it is a monument to resilience, military glory and the perpetual pursuit of peace and justice in the world.

“Genova, i figli morti per la Patria
combattendo in terra in mare in cielo
alla gloria dei secoli, superba consacra
MCMXV, MCMXVIII”

Do you know and like Genoa? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Tamron 16-300.

Where is the monument located:

The Arch of Victory, also known as the Monument to the Fallen or the Arch of the Fallen, is an imposing triumphal arch, built during the fascist regime, located in Piazza della Vittoria in Genoa. It is dedicated to the Genoese who fell during the First World War and was inaugurated on May 31, 1931.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

Details of the Arch of Victory in Genoa – Détails de l’Arc de la Victoire à Gênes – Detalles del Arco de la Victoria en Génova – Detalhes do Arco da Vitória em Gênova – Details zum Siegesbogen in Genua – Thông tin chi tiết về Khải Hoàn Môn ở Genoa

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

15 November 202411 November 2024

A beautiful palace on the hills of Genoa

A beautiful palace on the hills of Genoa.
Walking on the hills of Genoa, in the Castelletto area, I photographed this beautiful palace that caught my attention for the red decorations of the balconies. Especially the three friezes with the pairs of lions.

Unfortunately I can no longer trace the exact location of this beautiful building, maybe you know.
Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.