Via San Lorenzo and the cathedral, Genoa

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Unfortunatelly I couldn't see the interiors of the cathedral because the door was closed by the time of my visit. I didn't get impression that some works of reconstructions taking place, no visible signs about it. Some Italian churches, however, don't care much for the tourists and visitors, opening their doors when and if they want.

In the streets and square located near St. Lorenzo Cathedral, I found many Artist's selling their work. There was all kinds of Art, most probably, something for everybody's taste. I don't know the prices as I didn't wish to buy, but I did enjoy browsing their art work.

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As I walked towards this Cathedral, I couldn't help but think how different it was! Dark grey & light grey Marble slabs really made this Gothic Cathedral stand out.
The Cathedral was consecrated by Pope Gelasius II in 1118, and is dedicated to martyr, San Lorenzo.
As with other Churches, additions have been made, frescoes added, and parts restored.
If you do get inside, expect to see a frescoed interior, a shell fired through the roof from a British ship offshore during World War II that never exploded, and a 13th-century crypt containing what crusaders returning from the Holy Land claimed to be relics of John the Baptist.

The Museum of the Treasury lies under the cathedral and show cases jewellery and silverware from 9 AD up to the present.
Here is the Sacred bowl which is supposed to be the chalice used by Christ during the Last Supper and the Cassa Processionale del Corpus Domini. There is an admission fee for the Treasury.

The Cathedral of St. Lorenzo is the seat of the Arch Bishop of Genoa.

It is not open all the time, and was closed when I was there.

Cathedral is open...............
Mon-Sat 9am-noon and 3-6pm.
Treasury: by half-hour guided tour only (ask for one when you get there)
Mon-Sat 9am-noon and 3-6pm

ADMISSION.....

Cathedral FREE
Treasury ....Adults...5.50 euros

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Now, before heading inside this 1000year old Cathedral, a 'MUST DO' is to check out the sculptures and statues on and surrounding the Cathedral.
They are small and intricate, and there are many of them!

I had time to do this, as the Cathedral is not open all the time, and was closed when I visited.

Cathedral is open
Sat, Sun, Holidays....8 - 12noon & 3-7pm
Week-days..............8 - 12.15pm & 4-7.15pm

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San Lorenzo, built in Romanesque-Renaissance style, is the city cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Genova. The cathedral was founded in the 5th and 6th century AD, devoted to San Siro Bishop of Genova. After the fire in 1296, provoked by fights between Guelphs and Ghibellines, the building was partly restored and partly rebuilt. The facade was completed in the begining of the 14th century, same as inner colonnades.
In the 16th century the Perugian architect Galeazzo Alessi was comissioned to plan the reconstruction of the entire building but he exectuted works just partly. The construction ended later on in the 17th century.

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Outside of the cathedral you will see 2 big marble lions and a lot more ornaments around the entrance-gates and at the corners of the church. You should also take a closer look at the sculptures along the small street along the church, where you may see a nice balcony with great sculptures - see my 2nd picture !
And on my last picture you may see the big variety of styles and columns of the cathedral. There is so much to see at the ornate facade of San Lorenzo !

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You might need about 20-30 minutes to walk through the church of San Lorenzo and have a look for the many interesting details, plenty of side-altars and small chapels.
You may walk around the cathedral freely and without restrictions and photography is no problem eighter, as longs as there is no church-service going on, of course...

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It was built in the 9th century. The incomplete reconstructions in the 12th century and the continuation of the works in the 17th century was clearly contrasted by the striped facade at the lower part and the rose window and stained glass at the upper portion. On the 24th June, the ashes of John the Baptist will be taken out of its museum for its yearly procession to honour the city's patron saint.

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This is the organ of San Lorenzo - not built on top of the entrance door like in most churches, but into one of the side-walls and decorated with great baroque paintings .
At many places you will see different styles like gothic,baroque and romanic all mingled into an absolutely great interior.All of the cathedral San Lorenzo is loaded with plenty of great sculptures and decorations - see some of them on my other photographs !

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The pulpit of San Lorenzo - on the left of my pic - is made much smaller and has less ornaments than many of the other churches I saw in Italy, but it is made of solid marble with some great sculptures in it.
And on my pic, you will also see the 2 storeys of gothic columns that build the main structure of the church, remonding me a lot of the architecture of Bycantine churches.
All of the church is loaded with plenty of great sculptures and decorations - see some of them on my other photographs !