The Mediterranean Sea, where the seaports of Genoa, Athens, Marseille, Venice, Barcelona, Valencia are located, is the cradle of European civilization. It served (and serves) as a broad road for the movement of goods, the interpenetration of cultures, and the exchange of experience. And the main gate to Southern Europe today is the ancient city of Genoa.
Becoming
Even in the III century BC, the Romans learned about the existence of the fishing village of the Ligurians and annexed it to their territory. However, the rise of a small settlement as the “mistress of the sea” began in the 10th century. A daring Muslim pirate raid in 934 was the reason for the construction of port fortifications. The sheltered bay became attractive to both fishermen and merchants. The latter established trade routes with the Eastern Mediterranean and Spain.
During the period of the Crusades, the port of Genoa became one of the important points for the delivery of the crusaders to Palestine and for conducting trade with the Holy Land. Huge profits were used to strengtheninfrastructure and building our own merchant and navy.
The vicissitudes of history
At the beginning of the XII century, the Republic of Genoa was created. The 100,000-strong city becomes one of the richest and most powerful in the Mediterranean, and its ships can be found in every corner of the known world. Only Venice could create competition for him. The port of Genoa founded colonies and trading posts from the Crimea to Greece, from the Apennines to North Africa and even Belgium.
Interestingly, Christopher Columbus, who discovered America, was a Genoese. He did not find support for his ideas in his homeland, which, apparently, the townspeople still regret. One can only guess how world history would have changed if the we alth of a distant continent had gone to Liguria.
Decay and rebirth
Since the Republic of Genoa was a "trading empire", the well-being of the seaport of Genoa directly depended on the economic situation. In the 14th century, the Ottoman Empire strengthened significantly, ousting Italian merchants from the rich East. At the same time, the intensified competition with the Venetian Republic led to a protracted, exhausting war. The ensuing economic crisis led to decline, internal strife and factional struggles. Ultimately, the French occupied the republic in 1499, and they stayed there until 1528. On May 30, 1522, the city was attacked and completely plundered by the Spaniards who fought with France.
Revival of the city, as you might guess, contributed to the ubiquitous merchants. They investedsignificant funds in the enterprises of the Spanish crown and received fabulous income from the American colonies. In 1557, after the financial collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, the Genoese bankers became the main creditors on the continent. The period from 1557 to 1627 is called the "Age of Genoa" in historical chronicles.
Fall of the Republic
The strengthening of the British fleet, as well as the 80-year war of independence between Holland and Spain, led to the decline of the latter in the 17th century. The port of Genoa, being a longtime ally of the Spaniards, lost significant income. Moreover, the island of Corsica was sold to France in 1768 for debts, and four years later Tunisian pirates captured the last outpost in Africa - the fortress of Tabarka. However, Liguria still owned a large fleet, and in we alth and power it surpassed its eternal competitor in trade affairs - Venice.
It is not known how the fate of the Republic of Genoa would have developed in the future if Napoleon Bonaparte had not come to power in neighboring France. Driven by a passion for conquest, he easily captured Genoa in 1797. Since then, the city has ceased to be an independent player in the international arena and subsequently became part of the united Italy.
Old Port
The old port of Genoa is as old as the settlement itself – over 2000 years old. The triremes of the Greeks, and the triremes of the Carthaginians, and the libournes of the Romans, and the dromons of the Byzantines, andViking longships, galleys, brigantines and barges of the Middle Ages.
The heart of Porto-Vecchio is Piazza Caricamento, built up with old customs warehouses, houses of sailors and bankers. Guests are greeted by the Palazzo San Giorgio, painted with frescoes by the master Lazzaro Tavarone. The palace was erected during the heyday of the city in 1260, and for a long time was the center of secular power. By the way, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, who was taken prisoner, was kept within its walls. In the 15th century, the oldest bank in Italy, San Giorgio, was located here. And today the building does not stand idle - it houses the port administration.
The old port area is a magnet for tourists. Its narrow streets host cozy hotels, cafes, restaurants, clubs and entertainment establishments.
New Port
The modern seaport of Genoa in Italy (and in all of Southern Europe) is the largest both in size and in terms of cargo turnover. Its construction began in the 19th century and continues to this day. Every year it receives and sends more than 3 million passengers, and unloading / unloading of goods exceeds 1.7 million tons.
The secret of success lies in the centuries-old experience, convenient harbour, infrastructure thought out to the smallest detail and a good location near the industrial regions of Northern Italy. 29 operating terminals are designed to receive all existing types of vessels, including tankers and container ships. About 150 routes link Genoa with other ports in the world. The enterprise is the main employer of the region: about 60,000 people work here, more10000 are indirectly dependent on his work.
Cruise port
Despite historical upheavals, Liguria remains the most important maritime region. Convenient harbor, developed infrastructure, interesting sights attract, without exaggeration, millions of tourists every year. Cruise ships arrive here daily, for the service of which the cruise port of Genoa was built.
It is a modern port complex, including 5 large berths capable of receiving ocean liners. There are also 13 terminals for mooring and servicing of ferries. The berths extend over an area of 250,000 m2. Cargo turnover is 4 million passengers, 250,000 trucks, 1.5 million cars.
The pride of the townspeople is the historic maritime station Ponte dei Mille. Today, it is a technologically advanced cruise terminal with facilities designed after the world's best airports to enable fast boarding and disembarking of the latest generation of aircraft. A new cruise terminal is currently under construction in the industrial area of Ponte Parodi.
Direct regular service is established with such tourist gems of the Mediterranean as Porto Cervo, Nice, Cannes, Barcelona, etc. The cruise port is connected to the city by metro line, there are numerous bus routes.
Porta Soprano
One of the main symbols of Genoa is the Porta Soprano gate. They are located in the center of the old city and are a visible symbol of the power of the Genoeserepublics. The name of the attraction is translated as "the highest". And it is no coincidence: in the Middle Ages it was the central city gate, which was part of a powerful fortress wall.
The structure consists of two round towers with loopholes connected by an arch. It rises above the old quarter of Ravecchi and occupies the top of the Piano di Sant'Andrea hill. As the city expanded, the strategic importance of the gate diminished. In the 1930s, the Porta Soprana gates were reconstructed. Nearby is the Columbus Museum.
Tourist infrastructure
The port of Genoa is a major tourist center with a developed infrastructure. Most of the hotels are concentrated in its eastern part - in the historical districts of Maddalena, Molo and San Vincenzo. The five-star Melia Genova and Grand Hotel Savoia stand out for the greatest comfort and variety of services. Among budget options, seasoned tourists advise hotels such as Agnello D'Oro (3 stars); Comfort Hotel Europa Genova City Center (3); Nuovo Nord (3); Hotel Acquaverde (2); Della Posta Nuova (2). Of course, the options are not limited to this. There are hundreds of hotels, resort hotels, hostels, villas in the city. You can also save when renting private housing.
Numerous eateries, restaurants, cafes are also located here. Walking distance to attractions such as:
- Genoa Aquarium.
- Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
- Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation.
- The Red Palace Art Gallery.
- Royal Palace of Palazzo Reale.
- Historicquarter of Via Garibaldi.
The transport network of Genoa is well developed. The capital of Liguria is pierced by hundreds of public transport routes: buses, trams, fixed-route taxis. There is also a metro line. In the western part of the village, right on the embankment, there is an international airport named after. H. Columba. It was erected on an artificial peninsula.
How to get to the port of Genoa
There is nothing easier, because all the main roads of the city flock here. Perhaps the best way is to take the subway. It connects two railway stations and passes through the historic center. The metro stations (from east to west) S. Agostino, San Giorgio, Darsena, Principe and Dinegro go directly to the port.
From the airport to the central promenade about 7 km. By bus, tram or taxi can be reached in just 10-15 minutes. However, travelers are advised to go on foot if luggage is not a burden. A walk will take about 40 minutes, during which you will be able to appreciate the grandiose scale of the port infrastructure.
