Art and history
Genoa to be lived
Genoa: itineraries
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The Historical Centre
In Genoa you can walk in the largest medieval historical centre in Europe. The zone closest to the centre is still one of the liveliest in the city.
Medieval Genoa was a multiethnic town, with artisans, shopkeepers and noble families. The names of the “vicoli” (alleys) are there to remind us: Via dei Greci (Greek Street), Via Orefici (Goldsmiths’ Street), Vico delle Compere (Shopping Alley), Salita degli Embriaci (Embriaci Rise). But a touch of poetry is also not amiss with Vico dell’Amor Perfetto (the Alley of Perfect Love).
Delimiting the eastern zone of the Historical Centre there remains a short stretch of the ancient wall erected in 1155. Porta Soprana was one of the gates into the town. The two crenellated towers can be visited and from the terrace one has a fascinating panorama.
