After exploring the beauties of Calabria, Basilicata, Sardinia, and Apulia, we move north to discover Liguria and the extraordinary collections of the museums in Genoa.
1 – Fortezza Firmafede and Sarzanello, Sarzana
Sarzanello Fortress viewed from above[/caption>
Sarzanello Fortress is located at the top of the hill of the same name and dominates the medieval city from above. The complex has a rhomboidal layout, and the cellars and prisons are perfectly preserved.
Fortezza Firmafede, also known as Cittadella, is an imposing defensive structure in the historic center of Sarzana. During the 15th century, it became an important strategic point for Lorenzo the Magnificent, who decided to transform the village into a military stronghold. Today, the fortress houses the Museum of Fortresses (MudeF), which retraces the history of Lunigiana.
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Fortezza Firmafede
2 – Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Reale, Genoa
Palazzo Ducale in Genoa[/caption>
Palazzo Ducale is one of the most iconic historical places in the city of Genoa: residence of the Doge since 1339, today it is one of the main cultural centers of the city thanks to its rich programming of exhibitions and events. On the official profile of the museum, you can find the complete and always updated program.
Palazzo Reale has been a historic residence inhabited over time by two great Genoese dynasties: the Balbi and the Durazzo. The Balbi built the Palace between 1643 and 1650, and the Durazzo expanded it at the end of the seventeenth century. The Palace is a treasure trove of local Baroque and Rococo and houses an important collection of works by the best artists of the seventeenth century. We highlight the presence of the most famous paintings by Van Eyck, including: the Portrait of Caterina Balbi Durazzo and the Crucified Christ.
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Interior hall of the Royal Palace -
Anton Van Dyck, The Crucifixion of Christ, 1627, Royal Palace -
Facade of the Royal Palace
3 – Museums of Strada Nuova, Genoa
The exhibition of Palazzo Bianco was conceived and realized by Franco Albini, an important architect of the last century. We highly recommend a visit to Palazzo Rosso, especially in the “apartment of the art lover”, the historic residence of Caterina Mercenaro, former Director of the Museums of Strada Nuova.
Palazzo Bianco-
Michelangelo Merisi known as Caravaggio, Ecce Homo, 1605, Palazzo Bianco -
Staircase designed by Franco Albini leading to the apartments of Caterina Mercenaro -
Private apartment of the former Director of Palazzo Rosso, Caterina Mercenaro
4 – Galata Museum of the Sea, Genoa
Genoa is known for its port and for being one of the four cities of the Maritime Republic. Of course, we couldn’t exclude the Galata Museum of the Sea from our selection.
Inside the museum, you can visit an entire pavilion dedicated to the immigration of Italians to America, Brazil, and Argentina. You can admire the submarine Nazario Sauro and virtually relive the experience of a shipwreck at Cape Horn in 4D.
Galata Museum of the Sea
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Exhibition dedicated to the immigration of Italians -
Submarine
5 – MACI – Museum of Contemporary Art of Imperia
Not only modern but also contemporary: Liguria offers a wide artistic offering. We move to Imperia where the MACI – Museum of Contemporary Art of Imperia is located in the sumptuous Villa Faravelli. The museum was founded in 2016 thanks to an important donation from Maria Teresa Danè, a citizen of Imperia. The donation includes around seventy works by key figures in the Italian and international art scene of the 20th century. To name a few, Lucio Fontana and his “Concetto spaziale, attesa, Rosso” and “Concetto spaziale, 7 tagli”, Marino Marini “The Horse and the Knight” and Enrico Castellani “Gray Surface”.
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Lucio Fontana, the two spatial concepts “Red” and “7 cuts” compared
6 – Prehistoric Museum and Archaeological Area, Ventimiglia
Between one dive and another in Ventimiglia, we recommend visiting the Prehistoric Museum which is perched above the sea. The Museum takes its name from the Balzi, in dialect “holes”, which are the ancient caves in the limestone rock face.
The caves of Balzi Rossi
The archaeological area of Nervia houses the remains of the Roman city, a maritime and agricultural center from the republican era. The remains of the Thermae and the Theater can be visited, with the latter being the best-preserved building in all of Liguria and Northern Italy. In the Antiquarium, you can admire a selection of artifacts discovered during the excavations at the end of the 19th century.
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Prehistoric Museum of Balzi Rossi from above -
Theater of the archaeological area of Nervi in Ventimiglia
We have reached the end of our Ligurian tour, which also concludes our small guides dedicated to the most beloved Italian regions for their seaside locations. Now all that’s left is to pack your bags and leave! Safe travels!
