Porto Antico

Today we had our day trip of the Porto Antico of Genova. It started out in the pouring rain, so we were all decked out in our rain gear, a very interesting and American sight. We took in a lot of information, and tried to do a lot of sketching as well but we had too much to see and not enough time to see it. One of the first things we did was take a boat tour which drove us out to the dam and we got a view looking back. It was neat because we got to see all the shipping containers placed against the whole city, it just helped me connect in my mind the fact that Genova is a thriving port and has been since it's foundation.

Then we went to Pallazzatta della Ripa for some sketching, to which we headed to the Galata Museo Del Mare,,, the maritime museum. It was very "vertical" like most of the buildings in Genoa so each exhibit was spread over about 6 floors where you went through different things about sailing, immigration, and other things relating to boats. It was pretty cool and interactive, and we surely enjoyed ourselves. Then we ate our lunches we packed this morning (including juice boxes!) outside overlooking the water-- at this point it had stopped raining.

Next we went to La Commenda di Pre, which is an old church with the Genoa black and white stipes and did some sketching there. From there we headed to the Palazzo Del Principe and walked through the Palace and the gardens quickly before it's closing...

Finally we headed to La Lanterna- the lighthouse of Genoa. It used to actually be significant, but it has since been surrounded with industrial ship yard and coal so even though the light still runs it is quite far from the water. So we climbed up it a little ways in time for the sun to go down and get some good night pictures back at the city. From there, since we were 5 million miles away from the villa we took a variety of means of public transportation to get back in time for a delicious dinner and just good company in general. Well- this day has worn me out, so I'm out!

~Heather