Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
High-tech exhibits trace the history of seafaring, from Genoa's reign as Europe's greatest
dockyard to the ages of sail and steam, and justify the rather steep entry fee.
A section on the ground floor is deservedly dedicated to native son, Christopher
Columbus. Alongside is a scale reconstruction of a 17th-century galley ship, given extra
drama by added sound effects and snippets of film. The 2nd floor guards a valuable col-
lection of old maps and globes, while the 3rd floor has a more recent exposé of Italian
emigration (using ships). The top-floor
mirador
has one of Genoa's best cityscape views.
Bring a camera.
PIRATE SHIP
Il Galeone Neptune
(Mole Ponte Calvi; adult/reduced €5/3; 10am-6pm; )
This full-sized replica pirate ship was
built in 1986 as a prop in the Roman Polanski movie
Pirates
. Moored permanently in the
port, it is now a favourite playground for kids re-enacting scenes from
Peter Pan
and
Pir-
ates of the Caribbean
with their beleaguered parents.
Genoa-Casella Railway
Spectacular views of Genoa's forts can be seen from the 1929 narrow-gauge railway,
which snakes 25km north from
Stazione Genova
(
www.ferroviagenovacasella.it
; Via alla Stazione
per Casella 15)
to the village of
Casella
(one way/return €2/3.20, one hour, eight to 12 daily)
in the Valle Scrivia. Stazione Genova is 1.3km north of Stazione Brignole: it's 15 minutes
by foot or you can catch bus 33.
RAILWAY
La Lanterna
(Via alla Lanterna; admission €6; 10am-7pm Sat & Sun)
The port may have changed radically
since its '90s rebirth, but its omnipresent sentinel hasn't moved an inch since 1543.
Genoa's emblematic lighthouse is one of the world's oldest and tallest - and it still works,
beaming its light over 50km to warn ships and tankers. Visitors can climb 172 steps and
ponder exhibits in an adjacent museum of lamps, lenses and related history.
La Lanterna is best accessed via a special 800m walking trail that starts at the ferry ter-
minal. It's surrounded by a pleasant park.
LIGHTHOUSE
Tours
