Genoa is the capital of the region of Liguria and located on the Gulf of Genoa, along the Italian Riviera, in the Ligurian Sea. Historically, it was one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean and has been nicknamed “la Superba” ("the Proud one") due to its glorious past and impressive landmarks. It is an incredibly picturesque and beautiful city that is rich in history, art and culture, with an old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
As the sixth-largest city in Italy it is, by no means, unknown but trails behind the likes of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan in the minds of international tourists. However, we think you should make it your next holiday destination. Here are ten reasons why you should find a villa in Liguria and visit Genoa.
1. It's Home To The Most Beautiful Garden In The World
Genoa is home to many architectural gems and hidden treasures but the Biosfera by famous architect Renzo Piano, stands out.
As the sixth-largest city in Italy it is, by no means, unknown but trails behind the likes of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan in the minds of international tourists. However, we think you should make it your next holiday destination. Here are ten reasons why you should find a villa in Liguria and visit Genoa.
1. It's Home To The Most Beautiful Garden In The World
Genoa is home to many architectural gems and hidden treasures but the Biosfera by famous architect Renzo Piano, stands out.
Built near the Acquario di Genova (Genoa Aquarium) in the harbour, it is a "Glass Bubble" that was designed on the occasion of G8 Meeting held in Genoa in July 2001. Made of steel and glass, and suspended over the sea, it houses a small recreated rainforest and is exceptionally beautiful. More than 150 species live inside the Biosfera, including butterflies, iguanas, ferns, and various species of tropical plants that manage to survive thanks to special replication of the correct climate conditions. Here, you can see rare tropical plants, including plants that are traditionally used for human activities, such as gum trees, coffee plants and banana trees. The project aims to teach the public about the plant and animal life in tropical forests, to find out more about these fragile environments that are highly endangered by human activities and how we can help. It is not only a beautiful experience, but an educational one as well.
2. It's Also Home To The Most Beautiful Cemetery In The World
Napoleon's Edict of Saint-Cloud forbade burials within churches and towns in 1804 and led to the establishment of several great park cemeteries in Italy, the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa among them.
2. It's Also Home To The Most Beautiful Cemetery In The World
Napoleon's Edict of Saint-Cloud forbade burials within churches and towns in 1804 and led to the establishment of several great park cemeteries in Italy, the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa among them.
Perhaps the most heartrendingly beautiful cemetery in the world, it was opened in 1851 and has since become more elaborate and grown immensely. It combines the architectural structure of a neoclassical cemetery of Mediterranean tradition with the naturalistic cemetery type of northern Europe. Designed by Genovese architect Carlo Barabino, it is made up of cloisters, garden paths, a reproduction of the Pantheon in Rome and a great number of grave statues that depict swooning angels, maudlin beauties, sorrowful children and more. Over the decades, the cemetery has attracted many famous and high-profile visitors including Nietzsche, de Maupassant, Twain and Elisabeth of Austria, who all raved about its beauty. More recently the cemetery came into popular attention again due to a tomb which was used as the cover art for the Joy Division album Closer, released after the death of lead singer Ian Curtis. Open to the public daily from 7.30am to 5pm, it might seem like a strange tourist attraction but is well worth a visit.
For the rest of the list, be sure to continue on to the subsequent posts in this series as there are many, many more reasons to visit Genoa.
For the rest of the list, be sure to continue on to the subsequent posts in this series as there are many, many more reasons to visit Genoa.
