We left our accommodation near Florence at dawn, before sunrise. Our first stop was the nearby train station, where we said goodbye to one of our fellow travelers who had already left for another destination. After saying goodbye, we headed for Genoa. Arriving in the coastal city, we managed to park our car not far from the center, and then set off on a couple of hours of walking to discover this port city with a rich past.
Genoa’s history began in ancient times, when it served as an important Ligurian settlement and a Roman port. However, its real rise came in the Middle Ages, when the Republic of Genoa became one of the most powerful maritime powers in the Mediterranean. The city’s merchants and bankers amassed such wealth that Genoa became one of the financial centers of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, a fact still evident today in the magnificent palaces lining Via Garibaldi, the Palazzi dei Rolli.
The city’s history is inseparable from maritime discoveries, as it was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, the most famous Genoese sailor. For centuries, the port served as the city’s gateway to the world, trading in silk, spices and precious metals. This flourishing lasted until the Napoleonic Wars, when the republic lost its independence, and later became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, and finally part of unified Italy.
During our walk, we were fascinated by the contrast between the modern port district and the historic old town, Caruggi. The latter is one of the largest continuous medieval city centers in Europe, where the network of narrow, dark alleys is like an exciting labyrinth. As we meandered between the tall houses, the glory of the old maritime power and the legacy of the former merchants could be felt on every corner.
After our city tour of Genoa, it was time to say goodbye again, so we took our fourth travel companion to the airport. After he also left for home, only the three of us remained in the car and we continued our journey along the coast further west, towards San Remo.
