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If you want to discover Genoa you have to start from the sea. Then, through the bustle of the Medieval Centre, you will go up to the majestic Renaissance streets.
The San Giorgio Palace is situated just in front of the modern buildings of the Expo and the Acquario. This is the best starting point for an interesting walk.
The San Giorgio Palace was the centre of the ancient harbour which ended at Vacca's Gate (Porta dei Vacca) in the trading heart of the city. It was built in 1260 as the house for the Capitano del Popolo. You may still see the date of construction on the gotic tablet which adorns the doorway of the palace. In 1407 the San Giorgio Palace gave hospitality to the new offices of the San Giorgio Bank, then in 1904 it became the seat of the Consorzio Autonomo del Porto. From the artistic point of view, the palace joins an ancient part in medieval style to a recent one in Renaissance style. The last one is the result of a restoration realised at the end of the 19th century. A great number of critics considered an extremely original structure.
After leaving Caricamento square you go beyond Ponte Reale street and immediately, you are the Medieval Centre.
Banchi square has always been the heart of the commercial Genoa, here took place the open-air-market until 1570 when the trades moved into the Loggia dei Mercanti. During the 17th century this building became the first Exchange in Genoa. After the last world war the Loggia was acquired by the local government which utilizes it to realise cultural events.
San Pietro in Banchi church is situated at the other side of the square. It was built in 1572 and its history again shows the financial ability of Genoese: the church is at the additional storey of the building and it was financed by the selling of the shops below.
After Banchi square you take San Luca street. In this street was realised the urban expansion of the city in the gold centuries of the crusades.
Making a small detour from San Luca square you arrive to Pellicceria square just in front of the Spinola House. Built in the 16th century for the Grimaldi family, nowadays it is the seat of the National Gallery of Liguria. The interiors are in baroque style with the beautiful ancient furniture and pottery from Albisola. At the Spinola House you can find famous paintings as Ecce Homo by Antonello da Messina and The Portrait of a Child by Van Dyck. Before leaving the palace have a look of the Mirrors' Gallery.
Your walks goes on through the narrow streets called "caruggi" and passing through Pelo lane, Maddalena street and San Francesco lane you emerge in the street which is the greatest treasure in Genoa.
Garibaldi street was the residential area of the noble families. It was designed by Galeazzo Alessi between 1550 and 1575 as the symbol of the separation between the new financial power and the mercantile society of the Medieval Centre.
At the number 18 you can find the Red House. It was a Brignole Sale's property until 1874 when it was donated to the city by the Duchess of Galliera. Damaged during the II world war, it was restored in the fifties and nowadays it gives hospitality to a collection including more than 40.000 paintings. A great part of them has been skilfully restored.
The White House was bought by Maria Durazzo Brignole Sale In 1711. The Duchess thought to a house "great and white" to contrast the Red House on the other side of the street. In 1889 the Duchess of Galliera bequeathed the house to the city, provided it became a museum. The first expositon in the White House was realised in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discover of America.
Going on through Garibaldi street you also meet : the Campanella House (number 12); the Townhall Palace, also called the Tursi Palace (number 9), where the Mayor has his office. In the Red Chamber the assembly of the Town Council takes place.
The Podestà House (number 7); the Doria House (number 6) ; the Spinola House (number 5) which is the seat of the Bank of America and Italy; the Carrega Cataldi House (number 4) with the splendidRenaissance façade. The Lercari Parodi House (number 3) is connected with a curious legend: on its simple portal are sculptured twu statues without noses and ears to remember Megollo Lercari. In 1312, Megollo wanted to vindicate an offense, so he sent the Sultan of Trebisonda two barrels full of noses and ears cut to his unlucky subjects.
The last two Houses in Garibaldi street are the Gambaro House (number 2) that is the seat of the Bank of Chiavari since 1923. You can visit a part of the interiors when the bank is opened to the public and the Cambiaso House (number 1), where the Bank of Naples has its offices since 1565.
Here you can finish your first trip in the different realities of Genoa. But there would be a lot of other interesting places to visit: ...going back to the Medieval Centre for the shopping in Luccoli street or Casana lane...Going on through XXV April street to reach De Ferrari square and the Doge's House...