Genová

Genova, known in Italian as Genova, is a port city in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It sits at the head of the Gulf of Genoa on the Ligurian Sea and is the capital of the Metropolitan City of Genoa. As one of Italy’s major maritime hubs, it combines an active commercial port with a rich historical and cultural heritage.

Historically, Genova developed from ancient Ligurian settlements into a powerful maritime republic during the Middle Ages and early modern period. Alongside Venice, Pisa and Amalfi, it built a extensive trading network across the Mediterranean and beyond, contributing to banking, shipbuilding and exploration. The city has a strong association with maritime exploration, and the navigator Christopher Columbus is traditionally identified as Genoese. The 19th and 20th centuries brought industrial growth, modernization, and, in 2018, a major bridge collapse that prompted a large-scale reconstruction effort.

The city’s urban fabric is notable for the Strade Nuove, the historic lanes and palaces on Via Garibaldi, which are part of the UNESCO-listed Rolli Days. Key landmarks include the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Palazzo Ducale, and the historic Old Port, which has been redeveloped by Renzo Piano into a cultural and leisure district. The Aquarium of Genoa is one of Europe’s largest, and the Galata Museo del Mare offers extensive maritime exhibits. Genoa’s culinary tradition features pesto Genovese, focaccia genovese, farinata and fresh seafood.

The economy remains anchored by the port, which handles cargo, cruise traffic and logistics, complemented by manufacturing and services. The city is served by the Cristoforo Colombo Airport and a network of rail and road connections that link it with the Italian and broader European transport system.

Genova and the related term genovese describe things or people from Genoa in various languages and contexts.