Things to do in Masone Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Filigree Museum is located in the headquarters of the former House of Justice. The exhibition is divided into four floors, where the objects are arranged according to their origin, making the characteristics and differences between the different craft schools more visible. Today, the Museum contains about two hundred materials of local craftsmanship and goldsmiths, thanks also to a nucleus of collections from the collection of Pietro Carlo Bosio.

The Naval Museum of Pegli is located inside the Villa Doria Centurione in Pegli, in Genoa. The theme of the museum's exhibition is certainly the relationship with the sea. This is reflected through geographical maps, paintings, drawings, naval models, construction and navigation tools which testify to the particular forms of commerce, navigation, fishing and fishing Genoese shipbuilding of the Xll and 16th century.

The Muvita Science Center is part of the Muvita Foundation, and aims to bring the next generation closer to science. The main subject is climate change, raising everyone's awareness to protect the sources still available, saving what we currently have. It is an educational museum, suitable for environmentalists.

The Museum of the Italian Red Cross was founded in 1981, within the premises of the C.R.I headquarters in Camporone. The exhibition is divided into eleven rooms where objects, windows and vintage photos are exhibited that saw the history of the Italian Red Cross during the two World Wars. You can therefore admire about five hundred carefully described and catalogued objects that tell the war period and the story of the missing soldiers.

The museum consists of three halls in which the exhibitions are held, very different from each other. At the entrance there is a case that contains phosphorescent materials that change color in the light. The second show shows discoveries of different sizes, such as Bison Priscus's leftover leather, and the tooth of Elefas Primigenius. The third room reproduces the life of the first hominids and the community of primitive men. Archaeology workshops give the opportunity to move through time, paint beasts and sign parts of the cave.

The Puppet Museum was established in 1996 in the interior rooms of Palazzo Balbi. The core of the collections is part of the collection of Angelo Cenderelli, creator and curator of the famous puppet theater of Campomorone. The museum's collection includes about seventy puppets built with wood and papier-mache, while the scenographic part consists of one hundred and thirty shaped elements.

Work on the construction of the Belvedere Fort began around 1817 and ended in 1889. It was erected for defensive purposes, in fact it was a fortified work. Over the years it had several functions, and during the fascist period it was used as a seat for dissidents. Today, unfortunately, it is in a state of neglect.

Forte Tenaglia was built between 1815 and 1836. This facility was used by German soldiers in World War II. It held this name for its architectural peculiarity, which is also called 'Opera a Horno'. The fort was abandoned immediately after World War II.

Fort Begato was built between 1818 and 1836. This structure takes its name from the neighboring town on which it stands. During the two wars it was used as a place for prisoners and at the end of the war as a deposit by the army. Today, unfortunately, this fort is abandoned, despite the various very expensive attempts at restoration. In addition, it is not accessible to the public, it can only be admired from afar.

Fort Brother Minor is a fortified building located in the province of Genoa, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. The building consists of a square tower that is part of a bastion enclosure, through a drawbridge, which no longer exists. The fort is also remembered because during World War I, the famous poet, Ugo Foscolo, was wounded. Unfortunately, today it is in a state of neglect.

Forte Sperone is part of the most important forts in Genoa and from the top of Mount Peralto dominates the whole city. Its origins date back to 1530 when the Senate of Genoa financed the construction of a Bastia, but the fort owes its current structure to the changes implemented during the 18th and 19th centuries. Over the centuries it had different functions and currently hosts theatrical events.

The first Genovese lighthouse, a magnificent symbol of the city of Genoa, dates back to 1128, and it is on the hill San Begnini. It is believed that in 1449 it was been guarded by Antonio Colombo, uncle of Christopher Columbus.

The Villa del Principe is located in the center of the city and is an ancient three-storey building. Previously it was the private residence of Prince Admiral Andrea Doria, today it is one of the city's main historic buildings. The rooms are furnished with furniture from the period of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, instead the gallery exhibits a cycle of tapestries from the sixteenth century. Observing the interior of the palace, we notice the influence of Spanish art, due to economic and political relations with Spain.

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj was built between 1529 and 1533 by Andrea Doria. After Andrea's death, the building was erected by Giovanni Andrea I. The structure was renovated with a special architecture by the architect Giovanni Ponzello. The palace has been decorated by great Italian artists and is currently owned by the Pamphilj family.

The villa of Admiral Andrea Doria is the most important symbol of the city. In his gallery, as well as furniture, tapestries and portraits, you can admire an extended cycle of mythological frescoes and stucco, painted by Perin del Vaga for Andrea Doria.

The Commenda di San Giovanni di Prè is located in the Genoese district of Prè and represents a building of Catholic worship in the Ligurian city. The structure includes two Romanesque-style churches and a three-story building called the Commenda, which identifies with the convent and the hospitable. In fact, at the time of the Third Crusade, Friar William, a member of the Jerosolimitani Knights, built the complex to use it as a shelter for pilgrims.

Following the fact that Monte Galletto sheer that extends towards the Mediterranean Sea, Castello D’Albertis (located at Corso Dogali of Genoa) offers both a great park and a museum as attractive features to tourists moving past the place

Fort Puin is located in the city of Genoa and dates back to the early nineteenth century, it was built between 1815 and 1830, with the main purpose of defending the northern part of the city. Its construction anticipates the other strong neighbors of the area. Thanks to a restoration that dates back to the 60s, today it is in excellent state of preservation and can be visited to the public. The Fort is the property of the State Property of the Municipality of Genoa.

The Royal Palace of Genoa was built at the behest of the Balbi family and is located in the homonymous street. Inside it is preserved original furniture from the middle of the 17th century until the beginning of the 20th century, several works and paintings by the great artists. The building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Palazzo Reale Gallery is located inside the Royal Palace of Genoa, built between 1618 and 1620 by the powerful Balbi family. Inside you can see over 200 paintings exhibited in the two noble floors, a collection of ancient and modern sculptures, such as those by Filippo Barodi, one of the most famous sculptors of the Baroque Genoese. In addition, we can also find a collection of Genoese, Piedmontese and French furniture dating back to the middle of the 17th century until the beginning of the 20th century.

The wonderful Royal Palace has kept intact  its internal representation, with their fixed and mobile decorations. In its halls are exposed more than 100 paintings by artists such as Bassano, Tintoretto, Luca Giordano, Anthony van Dyck.

The Genoa Sea and Navigation Pavilion is one of the most innovative museums in Genoa and is located on the third floor of the Cotton Warehouses, near the Aquarium. The purpose of the Museum is to tell the maritime story of Genoa and Liguria in general, starting from the sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. In fact, we find representations of vintage boats and rooms dedicated to Andrea Doria and Cristoforo Colombo. In addition, real-size plastics are also exhibited that resume the different workings in shipbuilding.

The Righi Astronomical Observatory was built in 1933 on the hilly part of the Righi in Genoa. The structure was built by professors Guglielmo Marconi and Alfredo Carlo Murri, given the excellent position of the hill that offered ample possibilities for observation. Initially it was used for private purposes and only since the last year of renovation, in 2000, it was opened to the public thanks to Marina Costa and Walter Riva.

Palazzo Balbi-Senarega is located in the historic center of Genoa and was founded by two brothers Giacomo and Pantaleo Balvo. The building contains two apartments located one above the other in order to make more effective use of the space. Baroque art is distinguished above all from the decorations of the second floor Nobile and from the garden of the building characterized by the wide Baroque spatiality and the bright colonnades. Today, the building is home to the departments of the University of Genoa.

The Aquarium of Genoa is the largest Italian aquarium, the second in Europe, after that of Valencia and the ninth in the world. This is located in the sixteenth-century ancient port of Genoa. The route winds over a total area of 9,700 square meters. The 39 tanks host different fish and reptiles, and reconstruct the natural environments originating in the individual species for educational purposes.

The Palazzo delle Compere di San Giorgio - is one of the most important and well-known historical buildings in Genoa, included in the list of Italian national monuments. In 1800 it was restored by Alfredo D'Andrade. Since 1903 the building has been the headquarters of the port authority of Genoa.

This is the national gallery, where one may get to know about the existence and general introduction of the vital art works of various people. In addition, Grimaldi Spinola di Pellicceria Palace has reservations of traditional furnishings. The decoration is preserved in an incomparable glamour in an ancient mansion of a huge Genoese fraternity.

The Spinola Palace was built in 1593 for Francesco Grimaldi. At the renovation it was painted in the Rococo style. In 1958 it was donated to the Italian State by the Marquises Spinola. Currently in the building is the National Gallery of Palazzo Spinola. Since 13 July 2006, the palace has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Palazzo Spinola is the custodian of the historical, artistic and ethno-anthropological heritage of Liguria. The museum was founded with the paintings, furniture, ceramics, silver, books and engravings which the marquis Spinola in 1958 donated to the State.

The Via Garibaldi was included among the assets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by Bernardino Cantone, it is home to the museum path that connects the three historic municipal dwellings dedicated to ancient art. These are the famous Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi. Originally Strada Maggiore is now called “Strada Nuova”.

It is part of the Strada Nuova complex, declared World Heritage Site, where you can admire the masterpieces of European painting from '500 to '700. In addition to the Genoese and Italian artists are represented in the Flemish, Dutch and French artists.

The Merchants Lodge was built between 1589 and 1595, by the architect Andrea Ceresola, but the origins of the building date back to the Middle Ages, when the Fathers of the Genoese Municipality wanted a building for settle the Piazza Banchi in which the trading of goods and currencies were carried out. The structure has a rectangular plan with Doric columns that support the vault. Inside, we also find a fresco created by Pietro Sorri from the 16th century, depicting the Madonna enthroned with the Child.

The third building of the complex of Strada Nuova is decorated with frescoes by the greatest Ligurian painters of the '600 and has precious furniture. In his rich gallery you can admire the works of Dürer, Veronese, Guercino, Strozzi, Grechetto, Van Dyck.

The Doria-Tursi palace was built in 1565 by Domenico and Giovanni Ponzello for Niccolò Grimaldi. In 1597 the palace became the property of Giovanni Andrea Doria. Since 1848 the building has been home to the Genoese town hall. From 13 July 2006 the palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Palazzo Gambaro was built between 1558 and 1564 by Bernardo Spazio for Pantaleo Spinola. The facade of the building is very simple. Inside the building there are works by the great artists of the seventeenth century such as those of the brothers Giovanni and Giovanni Battista Carlone. The building can be visited under telephone reservation. It has long been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Cambiaso Palace was built in 1558, by Bernardino Cantone. It was built at the behest of Agostino Pallavicini. From the mid-eighteenth century it passed to the Cambiaso family. On 13 July 2006, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building is currently owned by a bank credit institution.

This is a monumental basilica in Genova along the Italian nunnery near the museum. It is a historical cluster that Italians respect due to the virtue of it being extra-ordinary due to presence of great history, architectural designs, and the artistic factor important to the locals.

Palazzo Podestà also known as Palazzo Lomellini is located in the historic center of Genoa. It was built between 1559 and 1565 by Giovanni Battista Castello, who belonged to one of the most powerful families in the city. The building's prospectus is decorated with stucco, the portal is in marble with Doric columns and the inscription “SAPIENTIA AEDIFICABITUR DOMUS” (the house will be built wisely). Inside, the frescoes by B. Parodi, Lorenzo De Ferrari and Giacomo Boni are preserved.

The Palazzo Cattaneo - Adorno takes the name of the last owners. Following the bombings of World War II, he underwent several restorations. Many art historians consider it one of the most beautiful and special palaces in Genoa. Since 13 July 2006, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Imperiale Palace is located in the market area in the historic center of Genoa. Inside you can still find frescoes by the greatest artists such as Bernardo Castello and Luca Cambiaso. The palace was included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites. Today the Ligurian Artisan Culture Center is located in the building.

The construction of the museum was born of the idea of grouping all the works, without a location following the transformations of the church and the convent. The first tracks date back to 1959. The museum covers an area of 400 square meters and is divided into 12 rooms. The works on display belong both to the Castle of Santa Maria and other monasteries and convents. You can admire ancient finds, Russian icons of the 19th and 20th century, objects of use and furnishings, as well as fifteenth-century marble.

Palazzo Parodi is located in Via Garibaldi in Genoa and since 1845 the palace belongs to the Parodi family. The decoration of the structure is from the sixteenth century. Inside the rooms we can admire the works of Taddeo Carlone: the busts of Franco Lercari and his wife Antonia De Marini. Since 13 July 2006, the building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo in the center of the medieval city was erected from the 9th century. Consecrated in 1118 by Pope Gelasius II, it has an impressive Gothic façade in Genoese style. The interior preserves remarkable pictorial and sculptural works.