The interior of the church of San Luca in the heart of Genoa

The interior of the Church of San Luca in the heart of Genoa.
In the heart of the historic center of Genoa, the Church of San Luca represents a jewel of the Genoese Baroque. Founded in 1188 by Oberto Spinola, the church was rebuilt in the 17th century, maintaining its historical and artistic charm.
The interior of the Church of San Luca is a riot of art and decoration. The works of Domenico Piola, Filippo Parodi and Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, known as Grechetto, adorn the walls and altars. Piola, a master of fresco, created vivid and detailed scenes that capture the eye and the imagination.
Among the most significant works is the Adoration of the Shepherds by Grechetto, a masterpiece that illuminates the high altar. The sculptures of Filippo Parodi, including the Immaculate Conception and the Deposed Christ, add a three-dimensional dimension to the beauty of the church.
The interior decoration is an extraordinary example of harmony between architecture, painting and sculpture. The trompe-l’œil techniques used by Anton Maria Haffner create optical illusions that expand the space and add visual depth.
Today, the Church of San Luca continues to be an active place of worship, linked to the noble Spinola family. Every member of the family, wherever they are in the world, maintains a special bond with this church, which represents an important piece of their history and identity.

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Photo taken with Oppo Reno 12.

Here is where the church is located:

The interior of the church has a Greek cross plan with a single nave slightly elongated and ending in a semicircular apse. The marble high altar is the work of Daniello Solaro (1649), also the author of the numerous marble ornaments that enrich the temple. The vaults and walls of the church feature a cycle of frescoes, created in the last decade of the seventeenth century by Domenico Piola with the collaboration of his son Paolo Gerolamo and the quadraturist Antonio Maria Haffner, author of the frames and painted architecture.
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The interior of the church of San Luca in the heart of Genoa – L’intérieur de l’église de San Luca au coeur de Gênes – El interior de la iglesia de San Luca en el corazón de Génova – O interior da igreja de San Luca, no coração de Génova – Das Innere der Kirche San Luca im Herzen von Genua – Nội thất nhà thờ San Luca ở trung tâm Genoa

The text of the post was written with the help of Copilot, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence.
References:
– https://www.spinola.it/chiesa-di-san-luca/

The arches of an alley in Spoleto, the village in Umbria

Gli archi di un vicolo di Spoleto, il borgo in Umbria

The sbat arches in an alley of Spoleto, the village in Umbria.
Spoleto, a charming village located in the heart of Umbria, is a city rich in history, art and culture. Walking through its narrow and winding alleys, you can discover hidden corners that tell stories of past eras. Among these, the arches that adorn the alleys of Spoleto are among the most fascinating and characteristic.
The arches date back to different historical periods, from the Roman period to the Middle Ages. These architectural structures not only add a touch of beauty to the alleys, but also served practical purposes, such as supporting buildings and creating covered passages. Each arch has its own unique story and represents a piece of the rich historical mosaic of the city.
They are often made of local materials, such as limestone, which gives them a rustic and authentic look. Some arches are decorated with carved details, while others are simple and functional. The variety of architectural styles reflects the different cultural influences that have crossed the city over the centuries.
Walking through the alleys of Spoleto is a unique experience. The arches create plays of light and shadow that change with the passing of the hours, offering picturesque views and suggestive atmospheres. Every corner of the village holds surprises, such as small squares, fountains and ancient houses that seem to have come from another era.
Spoleto is much more than a simple medieval village. The city is home to numerous monuments and places of interest, such as the Duomo di Spoleto, the Rocca Albornoziana and the Ponte delle Torri. Every year, Spoleto also becomes the stage for the Festival dei Due Mondi, an internationally renowned cultural event that attracts artists and visitors from all over the world.
The arches represent one of the many wonders that this Umbrian city has to offer. Exploring these hidden corners means immersing yourself in the history and beauty of a place that has managed to preserve its authenticity intact over the centuries. A visit to Spoleto is a journey through time, an experience that leaves an indelible memory in the hearts of those who experience it.

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Gli archi di un vicolo di Spoleto, il borgo in Umbria

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

To see all the photos I took in the city click here:

Where is Spoleto:

The toponym of Spoleto derives from the conjunction of the Greek words Spao and Lithos (Σπαω-λιθος), or detached stone: in other words, the Sant’Elia hill (or “the hill of the sun”) on which the city arose would have been interpreted as the remains of a landslide detached from Monteluco, but this theory has never been confirmed. Spoleto has been an inhabited center since prehistoric times. The first evidence of settlements dates back at least to the late Bronze Age (12th-11th century BC): the most interesting finds have come to light at the top and on the slopes of the Sant’Elia hill, where the Rocca Albornoziana would rise many centuries later.
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The sbatacchio arches in an alley of Spoleto, the village in Umbria – Les arches cliquetantes dans une ruelle de Spolète, le village de l’Ombrie – Los arcos traqueteantes en un callejón de Spoleto, el pueblo de Umbría – Os arcos barulhentos num beco de Spoleto, a aldeia da Úmbria – Die klappernden Bögen in einer Gasse von Spoleto, dem Dorf in Umbrien – Những mái vòm rung chuyển trong một con hẻm ở Spoleto, ngôi làng ở Umbria

An alley in the historic center of Cadiz in Spain

Un vicolo del centro storico di Cadice in Spagna

An alley in the historic center of Cadiz in Spain.
The alleys in the historic center of this Spanish town have all the typical charm of cities built around a port.
Even though the style of the houses is very different, the views remind me a lot of the alleys in the center of Genoa.

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Photo taken with Canon EOS M100 and lens Tamron 16-300.

To see all the photos of the Spanish city, click here:
foto gallery

Here's where the town is located:

It is probably the oldest city founded in the western Mediterranean area by the Phoenicians in the 11th century BC, although its birth is now officially dated back to the end of the 8th century BC.
Founded with the original name of Gadir (in Phoenician: Gdr, fortress, with the same etymology as Agadir in Morocco) on what was once a small archipelago and now a single island, to exploit the rich trade routes with the Atlantic Ocean in the copper and tin trade. In ancient Greece it was known as Gadeira and in the times of the Roman Empire as Gades from which the current gentilic name of gaditano derives.
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An alley in the historic center of Cadiz in Spain – Une ruelle dans le centre historique de Cadix en Espagne – Un callejón en el centro histórico de Cádiz en España – Um beco no centro histórico de Cádis, Espanha – Eine Gasse im historischen Zentrum von Cadiz in Spanien – Một con hẻm ở trung tâm lịch sử của Cadiz ở Tây Ban Nha

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.

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Le Fatiche di Ercole a Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola

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).
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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/

A couple of photos of the village of Boccadasse in Genoa

Il borgo di Boccadasse a Genova

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.

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Il borgo di Boccadasse a Genova

Photo taken with Honor 20.

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

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.
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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

A glimpse of the historic center of Lavagna

Uno scorcio del centro storico di Lavagna

A glimpse of the historic center of Lavagna.
Walking through the center of the beautiful town on the Gulf of Tigullio, I was, for the umpteenth time, to see and photograph the Torre del Borgo and the beautiful garden that lies in front of it.
This is the little violet that reaches it.

Do you know the historic center of Lavagna? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Uno scorcio del centro storico di Lavagna

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

Here's where I took the photo from:

A glimpse of the historic center of Lavagna – Un aperçu du centre historique de Lavagna – Un vistazo al centro histórico de Lavagna – Um vislumbre do centro histórico de Lavagna – Ein Blick auf das historische Zentrum von Lavagna – Một cái nhìn thoáng qua về trung tâm lịch sử của Lavagna – 拉瓦尼亚历史中心一瞥 – ラヴァーニャの歴史的中心部を垣間見る

The beautiful Senarega square in the alleys of Genoa

La bella piazza Senarega nei vicoli di Genova

The beautiful Piazza Senarega in the alleys of Genoa.
In the heart of Genoa, hidden among the alleys of the historic center, lies the suggestive Piazza Senarega. This picturesque corner is an architectural and historical jewel that tells the authentic soul of the city.
The square takes its name from the ancient and noble Senarega family, who in the Middle Ages owned several properties in the area. Today, Piazza Senarega is a quiet refuge from the lively activity of the city center, characterized by a cobblestone pavement and surrounded by historic buildings that bear witness to the passing of the centuries.
One of the main points of interest is the Church of San Torpete, a small baroque church that dominates the square with its simple but elegant facade. The church, restored over the years, is a perfect example of local religious architecture and a place of peace and reflection.
Walking through Piazza Senarega means immersing yourself in an atmosphere of times gone by, where every stone seems to tell a story. The narrow streets that lead to the square offer unique and unexpected views, making this place a must-see for those who want to discover the true essence of Genoa.
Visiting Piazza Senarega does not only mean exploring a hidden corner of the city, but also living an experience that combines history, art and culture in an authentically Genoese environment.

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La bella piazza Senarega nei vicoli di Genova

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

Here's exactly where the square is located:

A few steps from Via degli Orefici and Via Banchi is the charming Piazza Senarega. The toponym of the site originates from the name of the noble family of the same name originally from the Scrivia Valley. The absolute protagonist of the square is the luxurious palace, built around 1590, of Gio. Batta Senarega.
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The beautiful Senarega square in the alleys of Genoa – La belle place Senarega dans les ruelles de Gênes – La hermosa plaza Senarega en las callejuelas de Génova – A bela praça Senarega nas ruelas de Génova – Der wunderschöne Senarega-Platz in den Gassen von Genua – Quảng trường Senarega xinh đẹp trong các con hẻm của Genoa

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

A glimpse of Via del Campo in Genoa

Uno scorcio di via del Campo a Genova

A glimpse of Via del Campo in Genoa.
I love walking through the historic center of Genoa even if I'm always a little uncomfortable taking photos with so many people in front of me.
For this reason I never get very clear photos in this Genoese "alley".

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Uno scorcio di via del Campo a Genova

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

Here's more or less where I took the photo:

A glimpse of Via del Campo in Genoa – Un aperçu de la via del Campo à Gênes – Un vistazo a la vía del Campo en Génova – Um vislumbre da via del Campo em Génova – Ein Blick auf die Via del Campo in Genua – Một cái nhìn thoáng qua qua del Campo ở Genoa

Alley called Salvaghi in the historic center of Genoa

Vico Salvaghi nel centro storico di Genova

Vico Salvaghi in the historic center of Genoa.
I like to walk and photograph the historic center of Genoa. And, as I almost always write, there is not a single time that I do not find a point that I had never seen before!

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

Here's where the alley is located:

The origin of the toponym refers to the popular Salvago family originally from Lombardy. The surname of this lineage appears already in the 12th century, formed by the union of the Porci, Nepitelli and Striggiaporci families: Salvaghi, in Genoese, Sarveghi to underline its rustic character.
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Alley called Salvaghi in the historic center of Genoa – Vico appelé Salvaghi dans le centre historique de Gênes – Vico llamó Salvaghi en el centro histórico de Génova – Vico ligou para Salvaghi no centro histórico de Gênova – Vico rief Salvaghi im historischen Zentrum von Genua an – Vico gọi Salvaghi ở trung tâm lịch sử của Genoa

The Costa Diadema seen from the streets of Stavanger

La Costa Diadema vista dalle viuzze di Stavanger

The Costa Diadema seen from the streets of Stavanger.
Until a few months ago I was on board the Costa Diadema (of Costa Crociere) doing fjord cruises.
After many years I went out for a walk in the colorful neighborhood of Fargegaten (which I absolutely didn't remember) and from there the yellow chimney of the ship was sticking out.

Have you ever taken a Costa cruise to the fjords?
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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Tamron 16-300.

Here is the spot where I took this photo:

Costa Diadema is a cruise ship of the Genoese company Costa Crociere. Upon completion, it was the largest ship ever built under the Italian flag. On 30 October 2014, the public launch took place in the same shipyard, giving way to the inaugural events, while on 1 November it set sail for the vernissage cruise departing from Trieste. On 7 November, the ship was christened in the port of Genoa.
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The Costa Diadema seen from the streets of Stavanger – La Costa Diadema vue depuis les rues de Stavanger – La Costa Diadema vista desde las calles de Stavanger – A Costa Diadema vista das ruas de Stavanger – Die Costa Diadema von den Straßen Stavangers aus gesehen – Costa Diadema nhìn từ đường phố Stavanger