Porto Antico
Genoa
Once the commercial heart of the port, today a place for culture and leisure, Genoa's Porto Antico was transformed by Renzo Piano for the Colombiadi, the 1992 Columbus celebrations. With the Aquarium, the Bigo and the Biosfera, it is the renewed face of the city's sea. Your treasure map takes you to where Genoa embraces its harbour once again.
History
The Porto Antico is Genoa's historic harbour, for centuries the hub of the maritime trade of the seafaring Republic. Left to decay during the 20th century, it underwent a radical redevelopment entrusted to the Genoese architect Renzo Piano for the 1992 Expo, which celebrated five hundred years since the discovery of America. The project gave the city back its view of the sea, turning the old piers into public spaces.
What to see
The Porto Antico is home to some of the city's main attractions: the Acquario di Genova, the largest in Italy, and the Biosfera, the glass and steel sphere that houses a tropical environment.
The Bigo stands out: a panoramic lift designed by Renzo Piano and inspired by the harbour cranes, which lifts visitors up to admire the city from above. There are also museums, cinemas, bars and plenty of space for walking along the quays.
Curiosities
The structure of the Bigo deliberately recalls the old cranes used to load ships, a tribute to Genoa's harbour tradition. Today the area is one of the favourite meeting places for Genoese and tourists alike.
Visiting
The Porto Antico area is open to all and easy to explore on foot; individual attractions such as the Aquarium, the Biosfera and the Bigo require their own tickets. It is a few minutes from the historic centre.
