Genoa
by sim1
I have to admit that I haven’t seen that much of Genoa to justify this page. I had a few hours on a rainy day to spend in Genoa, and didn’t make that much photos or saw a lot of the city. But that doesn’t mean I regret going to Genoa, not at all! I had a great time meeting up with some great VT-friends! So that is what this page will mainly be about. But I’ll try to mix in some short tips about Genoa as well. So if you are reading this page to find out some ‘real’ info about Genoa, you might be better of taking a look at some other Genoa pages. But I know a few of you are very very eager to see my pictures of Genoa, lol :-)) So here we go……
The windows in the cathedral
by sim1
If you are in the the cathedral of San Lorenzo, don't forget to look at the details as well. It's hard as you will be amazed by the hugeness of this cathedral, and don't know where to look anymore (hahaha, at least that is how I felt!). But it is well worth to do so, there are so many things to see. I didn't take much pictures inside the cathedral, as it was quite dark inside, so I can't show you that much. But one picture that I did make is from these rose windows of the 15th century.
You can access the cathedral from the Piazza San Lorenzo. The cathedral is open from 08.00 hours to 11.45 hours and from 15.00 hours to 18.45 hours.
Situated on the...
by Tolik
Situated on the Mediterranean's Italian Riviera, just east of Menton and the French-Italian border, the caves are at the southern limit of the hilly massif of the Alps, which extends to the sea along the coast, separating the Italian territory of Liguria to the east from Provence and the basin of the Rhône River in France to the west. This particular topography meant that the Balzi Rossi caves were en route - as well as a convenient stopping point - for those who traveled through or lived in this region over the millennia. During the Upper Paleolithic period, the obstacle of the Alpine glaciers made a stop at the caves obligatory. The Gravettians (creators of the figurines) inhabited the caves, by their predecessors in an earlier Palaeolithic age and by their successors in more recent epochs.
Documents from the period and more recent discoveries confirm that the Balzi Rossi held traces of a long series of occupations: the caves were inhabited first by the Mousterians or Neanderthals over 35,000 years ago, during the Middle Palaeolithic period, and later by a succession of cultures - Aurignacian, Gravettian and Epigravettian, during the Upper Palaeolithic period.
The Grotta del Principe yielded a fragment of thing bone belonging to a pre-Neanderthal woman who walked erect. This is the oldest human fragment ever found in Italy. The famous 'triple burial', the skeletons of a Cro-Magnon adult male, girl and young boy, was discovered in the Barma Grande.
Between 1883 and 1895, Louis Alexandre Jullien discovered fifteen figurines at the Balzi Rossi. This is the largest series ever found in one place in Western Europe, and the pieces can be traced back to the Gravettian chronology and culture. Seven of the figurines were displayed in an exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (Ottawa) in 1995.
With the exception of The Mask, all of these carvings can be seen as variations on the Palaeolithic Venus, a model that we now recognize as fundamental to the artistic repertoire of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic. Research shows that this model occurs, with regional variations, in many places in Western Europe, Central Europe (the Czech Republic and Slovakia, for example), Eastern Europe (Ukraine and the Russian plain) and even in the Lake Baykal region of Siberia.
In most cases, the figurines are miniature sculptures of well-rounded female nudes, fashioned - depending on the region - from ivory, antler or soft stone, and sometimes even clay, which was later fired. The treatment seems to have followed certain rules, the most obvious being an overemphasis of the fleshy parts of the body (buttocks, stomach and chest) and, at times, an explicit portrayal of various sexual attributes.
These and other finds (including the reproduction of the beautiful real-life figure of a horse from the cavern del Caviglione) are on view in the Museo Nazionale dei Balzi Rossi open 9-13, 14,30-19,30 (closed Mondays). Guided tours of the caves every 3/4 of an hour, weather conditions permitting.
Palazzo del Principe - the leftovers of the parks
by globetrott
This is the tiny left-over of the big parks of the Palazzo.
It is a pity to see and hear all the trafic passing by all day long there...
The palace was finally opened to the public in 1995
When you are in the park - have a look for their great fully automatic grass-cutting-robotters : They look like turtles running smoothly over the lawn, touching some electric fence every now and then and getting a new direction to go on cutting...
(NOT seen on the pic )
WAY TO REACH GENOA
by Maghy
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REACHING GENOA BY TRAIN
There are two important stations connecting Genoa with all important railway lines GENOVA-PRINCIPE and GENOVA-BRIGNOLE.
Be sure to stop at the right station nearest your hotel.
Connections with France-Suisse-Germany with direct trains
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REACHING GENOA BY AIRPLANE
Genoa airport is 8 km. from the center of the city. Taxi (fares about 15/25 €) and bus service (N.100 - fare 2€) every half hour to/from the center. Flight to principal italian city and connections with Paris - Munchen - London - Zurich every day. Landing Genoa seat on right side the view is unbelievable!
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REACHING GENOA BY CAR
All following Motorway are crossing Genoa connecting with Nice(A10) Milano and Switzerland(A7) Torino and Valle d'Aosta(A26) Roma(A12). Remember you have to pay peage. Other alternative routes very panoramic if you have time all along the Riviera.
In Genoa there are plenty of narrow streets and the best way to visit is walking around. Avoid to use the car as it is very difficult to get around. Many buses or local trains connect all destinations in the city. Pay attention to keeep the bus in the wright direction. Fare 1€ for one hour and half. Suggest the special touristic ticket valid for train and bus for one day (2€) and for a week (7,50€).
Is difficult to stop Taxis in the street. Look for taxi's parking or call Ph.0105966.
Many Parking Underground areas for long staying available in the center of the city (about 1€/hour or special fares for 24 hours)
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Cristopher Columbus
Columbus's House (Maybe)
harbour at Imperia
looking down into one of the towns
