Historic center of Genoa, Medieval district in central Genoa, Italy.
The historic center of Genoa is a dense residential area with narrow alleyways called caruggi that connect small squares containing churches and palaces. The entire zone stretches across several hills and retains its medieval street layout that shapes the city's character.
The area developed when wealthy merchants of the Genoese Republic built their homes close together during the Middle Ages. This early growth established the basic structure that continues to define the district today.
The area maintains traditional craft workshops where artisans continue making local products using age-old methods passed down through generations. Walking through the streets, you see people actively working in small shops that have operated for decades.
Explore this area on foot, as many streets are closed to cars and the narrow alleys require a slow pace. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and paths go uphill and downhill throughout.
Street names throughout the area recall the medieval guilds that once worked there, such as the goldsmiths' street. Small niches placed in walls by these ancient professional groups still light up the passages at night, keeping the memory of those craft traditions alive.
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