Genoa

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WorldMediterraneanItalyLigurian CoastGenoa
Genoa
Port of Entry
44°23.656'N, 008°55.272'E Chart icon.png
lat=44.39427 | lon=8.9212 | zoom=12 | y
GenoaAerial.jpg
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Genoa harbour

Genoa is one of the five most important cities in Italy and a major trading port for over 900 years.

Not surprisingly, many traces of the city’s former prosperity are to be found in the city, including some impressive mediaeval city gates; a grand Palazzo Ducale; an imposing Romanesque cathedral and several splendid renaissance palaces. The city’s Via Garibaldi, which contains most of the palaces, achieved World Heritage Site status in 2006. Close by is a house where Christopher Columbus, the city’s most famous son (albeit it was the Spanish Crown which funded his expeditions to the New World), is reputed to have been born.

The port has long been the hub and mainspring of Genoa’s prosperity, and this is a situation which persists today, the city still bearing the proud title of Italy’s most important seaport, with a trading volume of over 60 million tonnes. In 1992 the harbour area hosted Expo 92, a celebration of the 600th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America, as a result of which it underwent a major transformation, including the construction of a magnificent aquarium. Further additions to coincide with the 2001 G8 Summit in Genoa have turned the port area into one of the city’s major attractions. Yachtsmen have also benefited from the area’s development, turning what was a grim commercial area into a pleasant, if very busy, stopping off point for an exploration of Genoa’s history and culture or a quick trip home from Genoa’s international airport. Berthing choices in the port consist of the marinas of Genova Aeroporto, Sestri Ponente, Porto Antico, Molo Vecchio, Abruzzi and Fiera di Genova (where the annual Genoa Boat Show is held). For details, see marinas below.

Charts

British Admiralty
1998 - Nice to Livorno, including Gulf of Genoa
354 and 355 - Genoa East and West
Italian
2
54
55

Weather

The prevailing winds along the western part of the Ligurian coast during the summer are a SW or SE sea breeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Along the eastern part of the coast, the winds tend to come more from W or NW and are again usually little more than moderate. While infrequent, gales are not unknown during the spring and early summer and are typically caused by depressions further west in the Golfe du Lion which bring strong N winds as they move further E. In winter, the tramontana, a strong N wind off the Alps, is more frequent, although the libecchio is a strong SW wind that can affect the whole of the Ligurian coast and blow for several days, causing heavy seas.

Sources for weather forecasts:

  • There is a continuous (computerized voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
  • The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
  • Navtex weather forecasts are broadcast from stations at La Garde (Toulon), Roma and Cagliari (Sardinia)

Passages

See Mediterranean.

Islands

None.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

See each individual marina for details.

If a yacht is getting discharged, from an ocean carrier, inside the breakwater in the commercial/industrial harbour, you must have authorisation to navigate out (east) in the channel. "Richiesta autorizzazione per transito canale n. 5 imbarcazioni" --August 2011 - 15€

Entrance

Genoa is a port of entry for Italy. For details see Entrance: Italy.

Berthing

Genoa is ther main commercial port of Italy. Yachts do not enter the commercial port but go to one of the marinas located near the Old Port.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Porto Vecchio showing Marina Porto Antico (left) and
Marina Molo Vecchio (right)

The principal marinas in Genoa are (from W to E):

Anchorages

None.

Amenities

See details on individual marinas.

Provisioning

Excellent provisions shops close to the harbour. Fish market and vegetable market on the waterfront.

Many marinas have mini-markets.

Eating out

Numerous bars and restaurants along the waterfront and in the town.

Many marinas have resturants and bars.

Transportation

Tourism

History

For nearly 800 of those years, from 1005 to 1797, the Republic of Genoa was an independent state, whose influence extended over much of the Mediterranean Sea. Even today, substantial Genoese remains, including cathedrals, bridges and fortifications are to be found not only along the Ligurian coast and in Corsica and Sardinia but also in the eastern Aegean islands of Chios, Samos and Lesvos, the island of Cyprus, the North African coast and even along the Black Sea coast as far as Samsun. Until the 14th century, Genoa and its merchants were one of the most potent trading entities in the Mediterranean, a position which was only eroded by the rising power of Venice following the city’s defeat by a Venetian fleet at the battle of Chioggia in 1380. The final blow to Genoa’s status came with its subsequent occupation by the French forces of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797, by which time Genoa’s imperial ambitions were already at an end.

Places to Visit

A comprehensive visit to all of Genoa’s many tourist attractions would probably take 10-14 days, such is the wealth of historical and cultural relics in the city. The port area itself, rejuvenated to coincide with Genoa’s election as European City of culture in 2004, includes a spectacular Aquarium visited by nearly 1.5 million people annually and two intriguing creations by architect Renzo Piano, the Biosfera, a glass dome filled with tropical vegetation and butterflies, and Il Bigo, a huge derrick which lifts an observation capsule high into the air for wonderful views over the city. At the SW corner of Porto Antico is the renowned 15th century lighthouse of La Lanterna, from which there are equally impressive views of the harbour area. The old town to the E of Porto Antico and its narrow alleys called caruggi are fascinating to explore, lined with historic palazzos, many of which can be visited. At the eastern end of the maze of streets is Piazza de Ferrari, the city’s grandest square, framed by the elegant Palazzo Ducale, former seat of Genoa’s rulers, the Palazzo della Borsa, the city’s former stock exchange, and the neoclassical Teatro Carlo Felice. A few hundred metres to the west is the city’s Cathedral of San Lorenzo, an ornate 12th century edifice constructed in distinctively Genoese style using alternating black and white marble. North from Piazza de Ferrari is the Via Garibaldi, where most of Genoa’s magnificent family palazzos are to be found, including the Palazzos Rosso and Bianco (both now art galleries), Palazzo Doria Tursi (now the town hall), Palazzo del Podesta and Palazzo Spinola, both of which have impressively frescoed courtyards. For relics of Genoa’s military past, visit the Porta Soprana due S of Piazza de Ferrari, an imposing gate that is all that remains of Genoa’s 12th century walls. Nearby is an old house claimed to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Finally, for a look at Genoa’s monumental 17th century fortifications, take the funicular railway from Largo della Zecca up to Righi, from where a number of walking paths lead to the defensive walls and a series of powerful fortresses.

Piazza de Ferrari
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
PortaSoprana
Forte Sperone (17th century

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References

Also see Italy.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Genoa and this page's details validated:

  • Data compiled from web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 12:46, 27 November 2010 (UTC)


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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington


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