Thursday, June 13th
When we got off the ship in Genoa, we took the hop-on hop-off bus around the city - we enjoy going on these buses in any city we can as it gives us a good overview of what there is to see in the city and if we want to stop at any particular place to see more of that area. We received some good info from this bus tour, but the bus itself was not conducive to seeing the high buildings as the bus had a plastic covering on top. We went around the whole route once and then got off at stop #2 to do the ‘Visit a City’ (visitacity.com) walking tour of Genoa. Walking was a nicer way to see this city than the bus. I still have a cold and so when we got back to the ship, we had a nap and slept until 7pm! The entertainment in the Princess Theatre tonight was called ‘The Voice of the Ocean’. There were seven singing contestants with three judges and then the audience used these hand-held voting remotes to choose their favourite of the three in the final. Our girl, Denise, won - she’s from Queensland, sang ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ and was fabulous!
Steps for the day: 9,968
When we got off the ship in Genoa, we took the hop-on hop-off bus around the city - we enjoy going on these buses in any city we can as it gives us a good overview of what there is to see in the city and if we want to stop at any particular place to see more of that area. We received some good info from this bus tour, but the bus itself was not conducive to seeing the high buildings as the bus had a plastic covering on top. We went around the whole route once and then got off at stop #2 to do the ‘Visit a City’ (visitacity.com) walking tour of Genoa. Walking was a nicer way to see this city than the bus. I still have a cold and so when we got back to the ship, we had a nap and slept until 7pm! The entertainment in the Princess Theatre tonight was called ‘The Voice of the Ocean’. There were seven singing contestants with three judges and then the audience used these hand-held voting remotes to choose their favourite of the three in the final. Our girl, Denise, won - she’s from Queensland, sang ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ and was fabulous!
Steps for the day: 9,968
Great architecture in Genoa
Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari - the main square of Genoa - with the Piazza de Ferrari fountain - next to Piazza de Ferrari are numerous office buildings, headquarters of banks, insurances and other private companies - this district is the financial and business centre of Genoa
In the centre of this photo is the U.S. Consular Agency
Many scooters abound in Genoa
The Arco della Vittoria (Arch of Victory) in the middle background - is a memorial arch located in Piazza delle Vittoria
More great architecture in Genoa
Chiesa Santa Maria Assunta di Carignano - a Roman Catholic Renaissance church in Genoa located in a residential sector called Carignano located on the hills just above the city centre - consecrated in 1951
Chiesa di Santo Stefano (Church of St. Stephen) - medieval Catholic church in the Romanesque style
Piazza Corvetto - a traffic circle featuring a bronze equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II and seasonal flower beds - he was the first king of Italy
More wonderful architecture in Genoa
Mike eating gelato
Sue eating gelato
Palazzo Rosso - a historical palace of Genoa - built between 1671 and 1677 - owned by the Brignole Sale family until 1874 when it was bequeathed to the city of Genoa - it has now become one of the most important picture galleries of the city
More wonderful architecture
Mike walking down another narrow street of Genoa
Windmills flying over the streets of Genoa
The Teatro Carlo Felice - the principal opera house of Genoa - the hall is named for King Carlo Felice - dates from 24 December 1824 - used for performances of opera, ballet, orchestral music and recitals
Monumento a Garibaldi (a monument to Garibaldi) - General Guiseppe Garibaldi was an Italian general and political figure in the 19th century - he contributed to the Italian unification and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy - he is considered to be one of Italy's "Fathers of the Fatherland" - he is also known as the "Hero of the Two Worlds" in tribute to his military expeditions in both South America and Europe - the bronze statue of Garibaldi on a horse sits on a white marble base in front of Teatro Carlo Felice (in the background of this picture is the Museo Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti)
Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari - the main square of Genoa - with the Piazza de Ferrari fountain - next to Piazza de Ferrari are numerous office buildings, headquarters of banks, insurances and other private companies - this district is the financial and business centre of Genoa
Mike sitting in front of the Piazza de Ferrari fountain
Palazzo Ducale Genova
The Teatro Carlo Felice - the principal opera house of Genoa - the hall is named for King Carlo Felice - dates from 24 December 1824 - used for performances of opera, ballet, orchestral music and recitals (with the statue of General Guiseppe Garibaldi in front)
Palazzo Ducale (The Doge's Palace) - a 'doge' was an elected lord and chief of state in many of the Italian city-states during the medieval and renaissance periods - the first parts of the Palace were built between 1251 and 1275 - the palace is now a museum and a centre for cultural events and arts exhibitions
Artwork on a column of the Doge's Palace
Chiesa del Gesu e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea (Church of Jesus and Saints Ambrose and Andrew)
San Matteo is a Roman Catholic church - founded in 1125 by Martino Doria as the private chapel of his family - in 1278, it was totally renewed in Gothic style - it was renovated again in the mid 16th century
Mike in front of more great Italian architecture
Duomo di Genova / Cattedrale di San Lorenzo (Genoa Cathedral) - a Roman Catholic cathedral in the Italian city of Genoa - dedicated to Saint Lawrence (San Lorenzo) and is the seat of the Archbishop of Genoa - the Cathedral was built between the 12th century and the 14th century - the bell tower and dome were built in the 16th century
The front entrance of Genoa Cathedral
Sarcophagus of a Bishop inside the Genoa Cathedral
Armour-piercing shell - the cathedral had a fortunate escape on February 9, 1941, when the city was being shelled as part of "Operation Grog" - because of a crew error, the British battleship HMS Malaya fired a 381 mm (15") armour-piercing shell into the south-eastern corner of the nave - the relatively soft material failed to detonate the fuse and the shell is still there - the inscription,which gives thanks for the cathedral's escape, reads: "This bomb, launched by the British Navy, though breaking through the walls of this great cathedral, fell here unexploded on February 9, 1941, - in perpetual gratitude, Genoa, the City of Mary, desired to engrave in stone, the memory of such grace
Inside the Genoa Cathedral
Autorita di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Occidentale - Sede di Genova (Port System Authority of the Western Ligurian Sea - Genoa Office) - a 13th century palace with painted facade, seat of the Doge of Genoa and later a prison and then a bank
Fish in Porto Antico (the Ancient Port)
Biosfera (the Biosphere) - is a glass and steel structure located in the Old Port of Genoa - built in 2001 - the spherical structure is suspended over the sea, on the Spinola bridge - showcases tropical plants and animals
Guitar statue advertizing the Genova Porto Antico Estate Spettacolo (Genoa Ancient Port Summer Show) - the event is one of the most important and varied of the Genoese summer - it offers many performances from both Italian and international artists
Fabulous architecture behind Piazza Caricamento
More fabulous architecture along Sottopasso di Caricamento
Vascello Neptune (Neptune vessel) - a ship replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon - built in 1985 for the film "Pirates" - currently a tourist attraction in the port of Genoa - in 2011, she portrayed the Jolly Roger, the ship of Captain Hook, in the tv miniseries Neverland
View from the Old Port
Porta dei Vacca - the monumental gate to the left of the front tower was one of three built from 1155 as part of a defensive wall system - its characteristic circular towers are shared by the other surviving gate, Porta Soprana
Scooters parked under the S.S.1 (a raised highway)
Sommergibile Nazario Sauro ( the Nazario Sauro Submarine) - a diesel-electric submarine of the Italian Navy - delivered to the Navy on February 12, 1980 - currently a museum ship moored in the ancient port of Genoa at the Galata Museo del Mare (Maritime Museum) - Nazario Sauro was a naval lieutenant
Laundry hanging from a building (very typical in Europe)
Stazione Marittima (Maritime Station) - built in 1987 with the aim of dealing with the planning, building and management of the passenger port of Genoa and its traffic
Our ship peeking out from behind the Stazione Marittima
View from the Port - in the background is the Castello d'Albertis (Albertis Castle) - a historical residence / Gothic mansion - was the home of sea captain Enrico Alberto d'Albertis - donated to the city of Genoa on his death in 1932 - currently houses the Museo delle Culture del Mondo (Museum of World Cultures), inaugurated in 2004
Sue in front of the fountain at the Stazione Marittima
Armed military guards at the Stazione Marittima
Stage in the Princess Theatre for "Voice of the Ocean"
Screen on the stage of the Princess Theatre for "Voice of the Ocean" - the evening entertainment
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