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

The seventeenth-century church, rebuilt, in its present forms, in the 17th century, houses an important picture gallery inside it. There are works by authors of the seventeenth century Genoese such as Bartolomeo Guidobono, Domenico Fiasella, Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari, Aurelio Lomi, Orazio De Ferrari, Anton Maria Piola, Giovanni Andrea Carlone.

The cult building is divided into two bodies, the first includes an atrium and a cantonia, area of the church in which the singers take place, in which there is a working organ from 1894. The second body consists of three parts, naves. Inside there are about fifty paintings of folk art, presumably from the 19th century, on the altar, located in the central nave, we find a wooden statue depicting the Madonna.

It is located in a particular and very suggestive position, between two spurs of rocky conglomerate. Precisely for this particular position it is counted among the most visited points of cultural attraction of the Antola Regional Natural Park. It is also part of the Italian national monuments. This construction had the function of defensive and dwelling. Today it is still in good condition and can be visited, but it is only reachable on foot.

The Spinola-Migliacco Castle is assumed to have been built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, but there is no precise date. It became the property of the Malaspina in 1235, and then moved to the Spinola in 1256. Today, the building has a square base, particularly thick walls and two circular towers, from which you access the passenger compartment. It is currently owned by the heirs of the Mignacco family, who deal with keeping it in good condition and preserving its original structure.

The Museum of Peasant Culture is located inside the sixteenth-century premises of the former Augustinian Convent. The exhibition is divided into several sections, where objects of past craftsmanship, work cycle in the countryside are exhibited, as well as photographs of the Sacred in Val Trebbia and sacred furnishings.

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.

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.

Fort Ratti or Monteratti is a military construction, dating back to the first half of the 18th century. The structure was built to protect the territory from enemies who could cross the small villages of San Martino, Albaro and Sturla and head towards the city of Genoa. The structure has a linear plan and the main bastion was divided into two wings used for kitchens and services.

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.

Fort Richelieu was raised in the second half of the 18th century by the Spanish engineer Jacque de Sicre. On 16 November 1747 the fort took the name of Marshal Richelieu and work began on the construction of the complex, which immediately became a strategic point for the defense of Genoa. In the 19th century, during French rule, the structure of the fort was enlarged. The property has a drawbridge at the entrance and a central courtyard, where the two-story barracks overlook.

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 Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno was conceived by the architect Carlo Barabino, but the structure was executed after his death by his student Giovanni Battista Resasco. Work began in 1844 in the area of Villa Vaccarezza in Staglieno, not very far from the town of Genoa. Resasco had the objective of maintaining the rectangular structure conceived by Barabino and aroused the admiration of contemporaries for the scenography and architecture of the Pantheon. Among the tombs we include that of Campodonico and Senator Tito Orsini.

The Fort of Santa Tecla was built by the engineer Jacques De Sicre in 1747, on the basis where the church of Santa Tecla stood, from which it takes its name. The fort was part of the fortification work of the city of Genoa, and its structure is imposing and majestic. There is, with a courtyard, where stands the barracks divided into three floors. On the upper floors are the accommodations and a passage leading to the southern ramparts used as warehouses.

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 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.

The castle of Torriglia was built in 1153 and belonged to the monastery of San Marziano. In the middle of the 13th century the Castle was purchased by the Doria family. Towards the end of the eighteenth century it was abandoned and from that moment only the ruins remained.

The Imperial Villa was built between the end of the '400 and the beginning of the '500 for Lorenzo Cattaneo. It was also restructured around 1560. The building represents a typical Genoese preAlesian villa. Also very interesting is the surrounding park, which is now part of the public gardens. For a long time, it was part of the villa, one of the most important libraries in Genoa. Currently the villa is closed for restorations.

Fort San Martino is located on the hill of Papigliano. It was designed by the Savoy government in 1820 and is considered the most modern built in the early decades of the nineteenth century. Nowadays the fort is surrounded by a canal, hidden by vegetation.

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.

Who does not know Giuseppe Garibaldi?! This interesting museum is a beautiful testimony of the life and the battles won and lost by this wonderful man, known as the hero of both worlds. Worth a visit.

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

The Oriental Art Museum “Edoardo Chiossone” has been located in Villa Di Negro since 1971. The museum houses a vast collection of Japanese and Chinese works from various eras (almost 20,000 pieces), collected by Edoardo Chiossone. In the museum you can see paintings, ceramics, musical instruments, enamels, armor, theatrical masks, etc. also note a large collection of Japanese, Chinese and Siamese sculptures.

Genoa is well known by many due to the point of owning a Sanctuary. This is a gratifying example of why it is termed by some people as a city with artistic attractions. It has a Genoese school of 16th century, which has the urn that belongs to Santa Caterina Fieschi Ardorno. This person died in the year 1510. She later became a saint by 1737 and from her work their rose her Saint Patron as the head of all the health organizations in Italy. These included hospitals and dispensaries. People still celebrate her job on 12th September each year

The villa was designed by Galeazzo Alessi and built by Luca Giustiniani in 1548. The building was built according to Renaissance architecture. The decoration inside the villa is in classic style. In 1921 the villa was taken by the Municipality of Genoa. It was also a Genoese noble residence and today it is the seat of the Faculty of Engineering.

The port of Genoa is the largest Italian port by extension and the first in the country for total traffic and by number of shipping lines. The port gives the city an added value as it constitutes a large part of its history.

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 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.

Palazzo Pallavicini is located in Via Garibaldi in Genoa. It was built in 1558, in an elegant style, for Count Agostino Pallavicini. In the mid-eighteenth century the structure passed to the Cambiaso family. To date, the building is owned by a bank credit institution and since 13 July 2006 it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

This beautiful modern art gallery, opened in 1928, houses an important and impressive collection, The Wolfson Collection, a must see. There are beautiful works of art and sculptures to see and discover. Come over!

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 largest theater complex in Genoa was founded in 1951 and its business culture has developed among the most significant at the national level. Its seat is the Teatro della Corte that can accommodate more than a thousand spectators.

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 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”.

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 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.

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 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 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 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 impressive Monumental Bridge in Genoa is perfectly integrated into the surrounding modernity, it was built in the early twentieth century and it is one of the most famous landmarks. Worth a visit and a souvenir photo!

The Castle of Nervi was built in the 16th century and was used as a defensive construction against the great dangers for the population. The building has been restored and today hosts exhibitions and cultural days. The castle of Nervi is also home to the Combatants and Veterans Association and the ANPI.

One of the main theaters of Genoa and one of the most important in Italy was founded'800. It is located downtown, near Piazza De Ferrari. In addition to the Recital and other events,  in the season of opera are held spectacles such as ballet and the symphony.

The Museum of the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts was inaugurated in 1980 by the initiative of Gianfranco Bruno. The most substantial collection is the material found from the nineteenth century until the middle of the twentieth century, at the request of the Marquis Marcello Durazzo. Inside there are exhibition halls, several paintings by famous artists such as Domenico Piola and Ansaldo and there are also artistic productions such as those of Rayper and Luxoro.

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.

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 ancient Ospitale of the Commenda, which dates back to 1180, is today a special structure that takes us on a journey through time. Historical records become a show, the characters come to life, thanks to sophisticated technologies and the Theater of Sound.

The Linguistic Academy was built in 1751. In 1942, the palace suffered enormous damage from air bombings. From 1831 to 1997 it became the seat of the Berio Civic Library and the Linguistic Academy. In the academy we can find: works and language paintings from the 14th to the 19th century, collections of prints and drawings, a gypsotheque and a library for internal use. There are many well-known names that attended this academy.

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.

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.

The Emigrant Museum tells the story through its collection of many individuals and families, which in the nineteenth century left Italy to seek fortune in America. There are original furniture, all well-preserved, witnessing the event.

The largest maritime museum of the Mediterranean unites the scientific and innovative approach. Its fascinating reconstructions give a very detailed life on board, of the sailing from Genoa and the evolution of the city.

The Actor Library Museum was founded in 1966, as part of the Teatro Stabile in Genoa and established in 1971. The goal was the historical and critical study of the theater and the condition of the actor from the 18th century onwards. The library contains 38,200 volumes, of which part are on theatrical topic and a part on Italian and foreign cinema. For each theatrical text of the various works of the library there is also a filing by author, by topic and by title. The archive is open to the public.

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.

The “G.Dagnino” JAZZ Museum is a center for record research. It has a very rich collection which includes twelve thousand pieces. The museum was founded in 2000. In addition to research, he carries out listening guidance, various conferences, consultation of texts, seminars, etc. the center is active on different fronts.

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 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.

The Palazzo Ducale di Genoa is one of the main historical buildings and museums of the Ligurian capital. This frequently hosts important art exhibitions, debates and conferences. Several events often occur inside it. In 2001 the Heads of State and Government gathered here on the occasion of the G8.

The house of Christopher Columbus was built in the 18th century. It consists of three floors with three rooms each and was renovated in 1684 also due to the bombings. The house-museum was entrusted to the Genoese Cultural Association “Porta Soprana” and is available to the public.