Genova, italy

 Rested, we had a great breakfast at the Hotel. 



Wonderful selection

European continental breakfast with Italian coffee!

After breakfast, we made our way to the Nearby Metro and took it to Piazza Principe where we were meeting our tour guide. 

Our guide, Karl, walked us around Genova for 6 hours. We stopped along the way for refreshments, lunch, and finally a gelato. Karl told us the history of Genova, which goes back over 1000 years. It was a very wealthy port city that hosted many a king, queen, and other important folks from all over the Mediterranean and beyond.

One interesting thing is that in 1538, some fellow named Boschetto made fabric that was then painted on by allum, which showed the highlights of the painting and then was immersed in indigo. The allum prevented the parts with allum to pick up the blue color. These “tapestries” were then draped on the inside of churches to tell the story of Christ.  What’s interesting is that the fabric is really what we now call denim. 
Amazing talent in only painting the places where you don’t want the dye

Looks like modern day denim to me! 

This one hung around a door, it seems.

Blu di Genova -> Blue Jeans

Another one.


So back in the day, Genova was a rich and vibrant city. The buildings were all painted with frescoes inside and out. Over the years, and with all the political turmoil, the outsides of the buildings were plastered over and many of the insides were painted over. Our guide showed us glimpses of where you can see the former beauty. The richest Genovese people are known by their last names. D’Ario, Balfi, and others. Genovese are taught to not boast about their wealth. This area is still owned by many of the same families- all extremely wealthy and all likely associated with the Mafia..

Coffee while waiting for our guide

One of the remaining gates

Inside one of the privately owned homes

An impressive staircase in a privately owned home

Our guide Karl

A three dimensional fresco in a private chapel. It looks 2D in photos

Church with pink marble

3D chapel feature

Carved marble columns with pink marble carved inserts. Masterful!

Genovese do not boast their wealth, but they do through private chapels in churches like this.

Carved marble handrail





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