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Genova
& Portofino
You will be picked up at the cruise ship
pier by our private driver and vehicle for
the day.This tour will take you to the
most interesting places in Genova &
Portofino
The Aquarium. It is located in the marine
park that the architect Renzo Piano
created in the oldest part of the
harbour.The purpose was to give the city a
space in which resting,walking,cultural
and touristic activities could merge.The
aquarium itself is said to be the biggest
in Europe.Very beloved by children,it is
extremely interesting for adults too.Top
visited are the penguin,dolphin and shark
basins.
You will stop first at the panoramic
terrace of Castelletto.From here you’ll
see the historical center of Genova,the
port and the “Lanterna” or lighthouse
which is considered the symbol of the
town.Next you’ll enjoy a walking tour of
the old city starting at the so-called
“House of Colombo”,near the medieval
gate of “Porta Soprana”and Piazza De
Ferrari,the contemporary heart of the town
with the Carlo Felice Opera House and
beautiful fountain.
St. George Palace.In the XIII century,the
government of the Republic was installed
in this building which later became
property of the Banco di S.Giorgio,the
administrator of the public finance.The
most recent part,facing the sea,includes
several beautiful halls decorated with
paintings and sculptures.The medieval
aisle has been strongly restored with a
certain amount of fantasy about a century
ago.Howevwe,several original parts are
still there.
St.Lawrence’s Cathedral.The construction
took several hundred years until the XVI
century and different styles can be
recognized.Elements of the XI-XII century
church ,which replaced the previous IX
century one,are still visible along the
sides,namely the portals,tombs and
epigraphs.The black and white banded façade
is rather common in Genova as well as in
part of Tuscany.The sculptures in the façade
are scenographically enhanced by the
staircases rising from the lower
square.Among them,the gotic column
supporting lions and the Apostol with
sunclock,commonly know as
“l’arrotino”(the knife-grinder).The
gotic portals of the façade outstand in
the Italian architecture of the time.The
lunette of the central portal,showing the
Martyrdom of St.Lawrence,is particularly
relevant.
Palace of the Doges.This was the palace of
the former rulers of the Republic of
Genova,built at the end of the XVI
century.The neoclassic façade co-exists
with the remains of the previous medieval
building at the left.A double courtyard
opens toward the very center of the city.A
majestic staircase introduces to the upper
floor where the halls in which the
government activities took place,the
private apartment of the Doge and the
Chapel are located.All of them are nicely
decorated with paintings,frescoes and
tapestry.Today the palace is well
developed cultural site where
exhibitions,meetings and so on are
currently held.A permanent settlement of
antiquarian object and “brocanterie”
shops is also hosted.Portofino has long
been and still remains a capital of high
society and the so-called “jet
set”,but it is also so much more than
that.It is a bay and village of
astonishing beauty with an important
natural pier.It offers lush Mediterranean
hillside forests and a charming village
loaded with and history and
beauty.Portofino began as a Phoenician
port ,then was ruled by Rome and finally
served the Republic of Genoa.It is a
cultural meeting point and has been loved
by writers and philosophers like
Nietzsche,Maupassant and Truman Capote who
all lived here.Your walking tour of
Portofino includes the Oratory of Santa
Maria Assunta,where is possible to see the
traditional “Cristi”,a huge Crucifix
that is carried through the town by the
faithful during religious processions.You
will also visit the church of San Giorgio
on top of the promontory,with its
extraordinary view down on the village
.You will walk to the Lighthouse,through
the verdant Regional Park and up to a
terrace outlook facing the tranquil
Tigullio Gulf.By the time you have
finished with your private guided tour you
too will understand why this place is so
highly regarded and famous the world over.
Ask your quotations info@clabservice.com
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