The suggested itineraries have been developed as a part of the project PORTS ET IDENTITE’ - PORTI, financed by the EU Cross-Border Cooperation Italy - Maritime France 2007-2013.
The "PORTI" project is included in a synergetic system of actions which, considering the city and its port, aims to "bring closer" the port area to the urban area through the implementation of development processes and enhancement of areas historically linked to the port.
As part of the Sub-project A, whose purpose is to attain a balanced development between the tourist port cities of the Tyrrhenian area (Liguria - Tuscany - Sardinia - Corsica) and their ports through the valorisation of the connection spaces, the City of Genoa has developed the plan "I'll take you to the caröggi" (“Ti porto nei caröggi”).
“I'll take you to the caröggi” involves four tourist socio-cultural itineraries, aimed at improving the usability of the area for visitors and Genoese citizens in order to increase the value of the unique aspects that have made and are still making the history of Genoa.
The project PORTS ET IDENTITE’ – PORTI has also allowed the building renovation of some public spaces in the Sestiere of the Maddalena which you'll encounter along the green itinerary.
GREEN PATH – “I’ll take you to the caroggi”
“I’ll take you to the caroggi” (“caroggi” is the Genoese term for the typical alleys) will lead you to the historical Sestiere della Maddalena, one of Genoa’s oldest areas, to let you discover its hidden places and treasures in a unique and evocative atmosphere. This path will take you to the heart of the old town centre in order to be introduced to its vitality and its different identities: the network of social realities and active citizenship will show you the richness and the liveliness of a territory full of dreams and invisible life. You will discover little-known places in Genoa passing through various squares, aedicules and buildings, places of lights and shadows, smelling the scent of friscieu, fügassa and fainà (Genoese terms to indicate typical pancake, focaccia bread and chickpea pancake). Have a good trip!
The itinerary takes place in the part of the city which was urbanized during the Middle Ages, between the 11th and the early half of the 12th century, when it expanded out of the defensive wall built in the 9th century and until the defensive wall was extended in 1155 as a protection against the Emperor Frederik I Barbarossa (the so-called “Barbarossa Walls”). Genoa was once divided into six “sestieri” (six districts) and the Sestiere della Maddalena was mostly situated on the sides of the ancient Roman ring road. Stretches of this road have survived, such as the part currently known as “Via della Maddalena” which allowed travellers to continue their trip without crossing the city, connecting extra-urban west and east roads (currently known as “Via San Luca” and “Via San Vincenzo”).
ORANGE ITINERARY – “I’ll take you to the caroggi”
This itinerary will let you discover the lesser-known spots of the city of Genoa. It’s a long walk between ascents and descents, shady alleys and bright squares, tracing the history of Genoa from its founding to the modern times. Starting from the Old Port, the directions will lead you to the Collina di Castello, the House of Christopher Columbus, the Doge’s Palace and the Cathedral, until reaching the heart of the old city centre.
RED ITINERARY – “I’ll take you to the caroggi”
The historical and artistic path, which in 2006 led UNESCO to include “the Strade Nuove” and the system of the “Palazzi dei Rolli” in the World Heritage List starts right from the cultural and artistic richness which has characterised this historical period. The buildings in Strada Nuova, now Via Garibaldi, were built with an actual allotment in the mid-sixteenth century by the most important Genoese families in a degraded area on the edge of the city and were defined by Pieter Paul Rubens. All the noble families competed with each other to build the best palace and their diffusion in the territory of the Republic was formalised with the inclusion in the records for the hospitality: 162 dwellings were registered in three “rolli” (rolls of parchment) depending on their magnificence. When a guest was on state visit in Genoa, at that time economic-financial centre of global importance, the dwelling and the family in charge to give him a warm welcome, with all the honours (and expenses) was randomly selected.
Today the “Palazzi dei Rolli” are 42, many of them are public property - offices or museums - and can be visited; others are private residences and can be visited only occasionally.
BLUE ITINERARY – “I’ll take you to the caroggi”
This path is mainly addressed to cruise passengers, to let them discover in few hours the old city centre, passing through the most typical places of the city. Starting from the Maritime Station the directions will lead you to Villa del Principe, dwelling built for Andrea Doria, the ancient Commenda di Pré, Piazza Truogoli di Santa Brigida, the Porta dei Vacca, one of the medieval city gates of Genoa, its churches and historic buildings, until the heart of the “caroggi” (typical narrow alleys), along the red and green paths.