Genoa, a city between Architecture and Holiness: a tour among the Churches of the historic center
Genoa's historic center is full of extraordinary thousand-year-old churches characterized by varied styles. They are an integral part of the city's cultural heritage and represent an important aspect of its history.
Getting lost among the alleys of Genoa means, therefore, also coming across its churches, which combine the devotion of believers with the curiosity of tourists, art and architecture lovers, to whom we dedicate here a step-by-step tour consisting of the most unmissable churches in the historic center of the so called La Superba.
The Cathedral of San Lawrence
It is Genoa's main church, located in the heart of the historic center, and is a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance. Its black and white marble façade is very unique and prepares you for a true immersion in art: inside, in fact, one can find frescoes by Lazzaro Tavarone and sculptures by the Della Porta. Legend has it that the small reproduction of a dog to the right of one of the two doors leading into the cathedral is said to be a tribute to the pet of one of the sculptors, who sacrificed himself to save his owner’s life.
The Church of St. Matthew
Located in the medieval part of Genoa, this church is popular for being the birthplace of Benedetto Gentile, the popular Genoese sailor. The church and the square of St. Matthew represent a real journey through time, as well as through the history of the Doria family, who chose St. Matthew as their patron because he was a "gabelliere," or tax collector, just like them. In 1132, therefore, they consecrated the Romanesque church to him, the same church that the Benedictine Martino Doria had founded in 1125 as his own aristocratic church.
The Church of San Donato
This Romanesque church, dating from the 11th century, is one of the oldest in Genoa and had been the aristocratic church of the Raggi family. It is located near Porta Soprana and is known for its simple stone facade and interior with ancient columns and a wooden truss ceiling.
Consecrated by Bishop Boniface in 1189, it was unfortunately damaged by several bombings that started in 1600 with the war between the Republic of Genoa and Louis XIX; three bombings (two in 1942 and one in 1944) caused a big damage to the church.
Here is preserved the Flemish painter Joos Van Cleve's extraordinary triptych "The Adoration of the Magi," commissioned by Stefano Raggi in 1516, as well as the birth certificate of Niccolò Paganini, whose ghost seems to roam within the centuries-old walls of this jewel of Genoa's historic center.
The Church of Santa Maria di Castello
This church dates back to the 13th century and is one of the main examples of Gothic architecture in Genoa.
In addition to the suggestion of Romanesque architecture and priceless masterpieces of art truly from all eras, what makes this sacred site unique is that it stands on the site of the city's first settlement, just above the natural shelter of the coast of the ancient port. Santa Maria di Castello, in fact, is located on the very first pre-Roman site of the city, taken up by Roman and Byzantine fortifications and then by the building of the bishop's palace between the 9th and 10th centuries, representing for hundreds of years the seat and symbol of the city's military and religious power.
The Church of St. Augustine
St. Augustine's Church is a former religious building in Genoa's historic center, located in Renato Negri Square in the Molo district. Deconsecrated, it is now used as an auditorium, and is sometimes the site of theater performances by the nearby Teatro della Tosse theater company. The premises of the convent attached to the church houses the Museum of Ligurian Sculpture and Architecture, opened in 1984.
The church of St. Augustine is one of the few Genoese Gothic churches that survived the urban sprawl of the 19th century, which saw the demolition of a large number of churches, convents, and oratories.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Carignano
This Baroque church is known for its spectacular facade, decorated with elaborate sculptures and details. The basilica was commissioned from Galeazzo Alessi by the Sauli family. Work began in 1522 and lasted more than a century. Alessi designed a building with a square plan, clad externally in Finale stone, with decorative elements in white marble.
The paintings preserved in its interior are valuable, including those by Domenico Piola, Guercino, Procaccini, and, in particular, Luca Cambiaso's Pietà placed in the third altar near the tomb of Cristoforo Sauli.
Soon another tour among other magnificent architecture!
