San Barnaba, Religious structure in Oregina district, Genoa, Italy.
San Barnaba is a Catholic church on the Salita di San Barnaba, an old stepped path climbing from Corso Firenze in the Oregina district. Its mid-13th-century origin is visible in a trifora window that re-emerged on the facade during recent restorations, and in two stone plaques dated 1286 and 1362. The small building was heavily altered in the 17th and 19th centuries.
The church originated in the mid-13th century and features an ancient triple-arched window on its facade, along with stone inscriptions from 1286 and 1362. These early markers document its long-standing role within the parish community across several centuries.
The church's name comes from Saint Barnabas, and its entrance plaque records that abbess Leona Usodimare had works carried out in 1284. In the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a stop on the Christmas "itinerary of nativity scenes" linking the Cappuccini, Madonnetta, San Barnaba and Oregina, and the crib kept here has figurines attributed to the Bissoni and Maragliano workshops.
The church is located at Piazza San Barnaba 29 and can be reached via the steep Salita di San Barnaba path, requiring sturdy footwear for the climb. Access to the building may be limited, so checking ahead about opening times or special conditions is worthwhile.
The 1284 plaque above the entrance records works commissioned by abbess Leona Usodimare, a member of the prominent Genoese Usodimare family. In the 19th and early 20th centuries the church was a stop on the Christmas "itinerary of nativity scenes" linking Cappuccini, Madonnetta, San Barnaba and Oregina, and its presepe still holds figurines attributed to the Bissoni and Maragliano workshops.
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