Genoa Cathedral

Genoa Cathedral is a Catholic place of worship in the historic center, recognizable by its horizontal bands of black and white marble across the front and three rounded entrance arches. The building combines Romanesque lower sections with Gothic additions above, and two towers of different heights stand on either side of the main entrance.

Work started in 1098 on the site of an earlier church, and Pope Gelasius II consecrated the building in 1118 during the height of the maritime republic. Later centuries brought Gothic expansions and a Baroque interior makeover following a fire in the 1500s.

The building serves as the seat of the Archbishop and remains active for Sunday masses and feast days celebrated by Genoese families. Visitors often walk through the side chapels, where generations of local noble families have placed memorials and commissioned artworks.

Access becomes limited during services, so visitors should check ceremony schedules before planning their visit. The treasury and museum have separate opening times and require an additional ticket, while the main nave remains free to enter.

An unexploded British bomb from a 1941 air raid sits in a glass case inside, a reminder of damage from the Second World War. The shell pierced the vault but did not detonate, and military personnel later made it safe.

Location: Genoa

Inception: 1098

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture, Gothic architecture

Address: Piazza San Lorenzo

GPS coordinates: 44.40766,8.93135

Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:48