Genoa - Columbus' Gate

Can I have one? Just one... I don't need both. Oh, I will probably need a couple of plebs to man the tower as well... *sigh. Life is hard when it comes to gate keeping eh?

One of the stones that had been laid into the wall showed the date to be 1292. Yup, that's one old gate. It has since been renamed for one of the more famous Genoeese - Christopher Columbus. What's a couple hundred years of just being called the gate got to do for naming precedence anyways?



taken June 2010 - City gate built in the 12c, renamed in honour of Columbus, Genoa

Genoa - Lovely Lady

Part of what I understand the place and purpose of the Saints are within the Christian tradition is this: they are people to look up to and admire as being someone we can relate to. With this in mind, this is probably the first image of St Mary that I really feel a connection to. She's got puffy round cheeks like mine and I could totally do my hair like that. I've always had a curious respect for the Virgin, though I would hardly call myself Marian.

Wikipedia link to the Church of S Peitro di Banchi in Italian or English
Wikipedia link to Mary (mother of Jesus) here
Feast of the Annunciation - 25 Mar

taken June 2010 - Church of S Peitro di Banchi, Genoa

Genoa - who's lookin' in your window?

The Catedral de San Lorenzo really was a sight to behold... but first, take a look at this lion-gargoyle! I really enjoyed all of the stone work at this cathedral. I don't know what else to say... so enjoy :)

taken June 2010 - Cathedral de Lorenzo - detail of West Door

Genoa - that's a big bathtub

I have no idea why this became a common thing in the churches of this area, but the bathtub-alter is a sight to behold. Maybe it's the need to have solid rock to hold up the reredos, maybe it's to remind us of baptism... in either case, I find it a bit odd. I'm just so used to my alters made of wood. It's the whole table analogy that makes me think of wood. Also, I like being able to move the alter for, say, cleaning the floor or, I don't know, a spacial re-design.

Right... let me take a breath. This is a remarkable piece of art. I love how everything seems to direct your eyes up. (Except for the incredibly cool floor... that's inlaid marble!) All in all, well worth visiting, though I wouldn't really want to church here.

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato (I think), Genoa

Genoa - watchtower

In my second year of University my father convinced me that I shouldn't take all science courses. (Thanks Dad!) I have no idea who suggested it, but I ended up in probably the most influential course of my undergraduate degree - Early Modern Italy, taught by Prof G Hanlon. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this one class changed, well, my life.

Though I never did get a paper handed in on time, and I am still to this day a terrible academic writer, I can, without a doubt, say that Hanlon was the reason I came back to university after withdrawing. Having to leave his course at Christmas of my second year was one of the most difficult things I had to leave behind in Halifax. Being able to sign into the course 2 years later and complete it, well, it was one of the things I am most proud of in my life.

Part of why I enjoyed Genoa so very much stems from my course in Early Modern Italian history. I felt like I could actually smell the same damp scent that lingered in the cobble from the 16thc. The tower pictured about also brought a smile to my face. Though it was obviously built after my preferred era, it reminded me of the prints I had studied. So many of the cities used to be littered with watch towers allowing family to spy on family, guild to watch over guild. The tower above would have had one of the most spectacular views.

...
Thank you Greg. Thank you for encouraging my cynical side. Thanks for suffering through my terrible essays. Thanks for so many afternoon chats. Even after several years, you still rock my world. I only wish had the courage to walk up to you and say all of this properly. Maybe someday soon. Until then I simply say Thanks.

taken June 2010 - Genoa

Genoa - rapturous details

I still haven't figured out which said this is... he's pictured tied by the wrists, arms above his head, to a tree. He has been stripped bare (save a conveniently and modestly placed cloth) and his armour has been propped up against the tree beside him. His sword is still sheathed and leaning against his armour, and his feet are resting on his shield. My best guess would be Saint Alban, but as Alban is an English saint, I could be very wrong.

This whole church is beautiful and seems so clean. Everything seems to be white, and the exceptionally high ceiling allows the clear glass windows to beam in lots of light. This is one of the most comfortable big churches I have ever been in, and I would highly recommend it to anyone needing some space and quiet. Because there are soooo many churches in Genoa, they seem to rotate who gets what funding and patronage. Unfortunately, Basilica Carignano is falling into disrepair. This is a shame, as it is very beautiful... but to every thing there is a season.

Wikipedia link in Italian or English

taken June 2010 - Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Genoa

Genoa - Who's that over your shoulder

I get a giggle every time I look at this picture. In my head I always here "Dude! Do you see that guy over your shoulder? I think he's famous or something". Yeah, I'm a regular comedian eh?

I still think it's cool though, and I think the image is one worth having tucked in the corner of your mind. The image of Jesus in the background is of His sacred heart. He is always there with a hug, and with love no mater if we're looking for Him or not. He's got so much love that even the beautiful angels with their neigh-infinite love still need His presence because He perfects them fully.

Wikipedia link here

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato , Genoa

La Spezia

This Cathedral really does combine the 60's space age with church design. Pretty and pretty unusual.

Check here for my other rant...

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

Genoa - Steps

I have no doubt that there will eventually be a movie made about my amazing life. I also have no doubt that a place like this will feature in the film. I just love these stairs. The wrought iron work, the stone walls, the ferns that will grow just about anywhere... it's all just so lovely. It was also lovely and cool on these steps, the stone absorbing some of the heat of the day. Yup, here's one of the 4728 locations I would choose to include. I'll see if you can think of any others...

taken June 2010 - one set of City steps, Genoa

La Spezia - Alter reality

This Cathedral was concecrated in 1975. Built in the round, the red circular carpet you can see in the foreground is in the centre of the church.

So interesting!

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

Genoa - detail of church wall

I really do like taking this style of photo. More properly said, I would love to touch these sculptures and take in their details as much as I am allowed to.

Wikipedia link here

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato (I think), Genoa

Genoa - Zaccaria

This lovely statue was one of four in a niche. Zaccaria, Stefano, Elisabetta and Giovanni. If I'm reading the card right. they are from the 17thc. Hurrah!

The statues at this basilica were absolutely stunning. I say this because they are completely up my alley as it were. I love the flowing lines of the cloth, and the near-human reality of the expressions.


Wikipedia link to Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta in Italian or English
Wikipedia link to St Zechariah (priest) here (feast day Nov 5th)

taken June 2010 - Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Genoa

Genoa - Dome-tastic

Would you believe me if I told you this church was heavily bombed during WWII? Yeah, really. There did some pretty darn-tootin' impressive restorations here. This church floored me to begin with. It really does show 17thc style. (at least to my mind's eye it does).

I'm now going to quote to you from the church's English pamphlet.

A statue found and preserved "without hands"and respondent to prayers of an anonymous Flemish person of the 15th century "Christ does not have hands - he only has our hands to do his work today..."

Now I ask you to take a moment, to sit, look up and wonder at the works of God around us and say thanks. Then stand up, and find a way to use your hands to the glory of God.

Wikipedia link in Italian or English

taken June 2010 - Church of San Pietro di Banchi, Genoa

La Spezia - Me!

I really did have a wonderful time in Italy. On this particular evening, M, T and I were our wandering. Eventually we found a pub with seats outside and the tv tuned to the world cup. All is right with the world on nights like this.

Taken June 2010 - pub near the waterfront, La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia - Mosaics

Yes, I'm on a church kick. One of my favorite things to do is visit churches.

This mosaic was over the front door of an Orthodox church in La Spezia. As this church was never open when I passed by, I didn't get to see inside. A shame, but as I did get to see 6 churches during our 3 days in La Spezia, I think I did alright.

Taken June 2010 - Orthodox Church, La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia - Casting light...

The cathedral in La Spezia was probably the most unique church I have ever been in. It was obviously a catholic church, don't get me wrong... it was just different. Built in an in-the-round style, the focus was the centre alter. There were a couple of side chapels, and behind the reredos there were several icons. Each ceiling pillar had a roman numeral, I to XII for the stations of the cross. A very ordinary church save the whole in the round thing. It was obviously commissioned in the early 60's and completed within that decade. No doubt about it!

As preciously mentioned, the alter was in the centre of the church. Standing just infront of the alter and looking straight up to the ceiling around 10m above was a circular bit of stained glass. This shot is a detail of it. I can only imagine what golden light would shine down on the alter through this glass!

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia

Very interesting cathedral celing. I love looking up :)


Taken June 2010 - Chirst the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia - 50's Deco-inspired theatre

Okay, so I'm strating to think it is more important for me to actually get some of these Italian pics up. Stories will follow if I have time...

Also, if you'd like to make up stories, I'd love to hear them :)

Taken June 2010 - Detail from outside wall of a local theatre, La Spezia, Italy

Genoa - best story ever

One of the afternoons I spent wandering around inside the old walled city, I found myself walking down a lane beside one of the basilicas. No really, I came out of the Annunciation to Mary Basilica, turned right and started walking down the lane. I found myself impressed that there were people still milling about the streets here as it was seista time. Then it dawned on me... I wasn't just walking down any lane, the people around me weren't just randomly out... no, no... I was walking past the front of a bordello.

Yup, in Italy, it's okay to sell business between 9-6. After dark, it's illegal, but during daylight what you can sell is allowed legally to be bought. There were three ladies who were dressed up as if to go clubbing, one at each end of the street and one at the middle where an ally connects. (I passed by this area again a day later and the three same women were still at their posts... no really.)

So, here I am, keeping a tourist-style I'm-looking-at-the-architecture-style walk, while inside my head I'm laughing at myself, while also trying not to look at any of the people. Oh my poor little brain... how you almost exploded!

Just as I reach the end of the lane, I slow to decide which way to turn. This is the point where Anna=fail. There was a fourth lady which I hadn't noticed sitting, I don't know where, who appeared out of the ether. I continued to look up and noticed the lovely sculpture above. And now is the point which I really really really wish I spoke Italian. This Madame decided to chat with me. I don't really know whether she was trying to sell her 'goods' to me, or if she was trying to tell me the details of the sculpture... I don't think I will ever know. All I could think was "Gahh! I don't know what you're talking about so I'm going to nod and smile and stare at the sculpture." This thought was followed quickly by "Get me outta here!"

I still to this day don't actually know what happened. I do however have a lovely picture of a nice bit of religious art and a brain that still goes 'pop' every time I think of that afternoon.

taken June 2010 - Side of a building, Genoa

Genoa - wave patterns?

Just a block away from the bestest foccia ever was this lovely little church. I'd wanted to see inside of it since the day we arrived. From the outside, it looked kind of like a memorial hall, or tiny concert hall. The domed roof and general style of the outside said to me that this was a lovely 18thc church.

Once inside, I could have sat here for hours! It was lovely and cool and clean and bright. I think it has been pretty much constantly loved at the same level since it was built... there's signs that it's been used, but basically there's no dust, and the tokens around the saints have been there for at least 100 years. What really caught my eye was the pattern in the ceiling. As the plaster work meant that the ceiling was perfectly rounded, these wave patterns are absolutely stunning. Also, after seeing sooooo many painted mural-style ceilings, to have something so decorated and yet so simple was lovely. I'd like to also note, that there were no artificial lights on while I visited. All of the light came in from lovely big third-storey windows and the while ceiling defused it perfectly.

Wikipedia link here

taken June 2010 - Church of San Torpete, Genoa