Penthouse in the heart of Genoa

Description from the owner

Palazzo Serra is located in Piazza Banchi in Genoa, right at the crossroads which has been the very heart for local economy for centuries; the perfect example to understand local history, civilization and culture exactly where business interests, public initiatives and aristocratic heritage and legacy meet and which only through time Genoa has managed to unravel despite the crisis. This 16th-century palazzo which used to belong to the noble family Serra has on one side the San Pietro Church and the Loggia dei Mercanti (literally, Loggia of the Merchants) on the other. It is an architectural jewel of the time and it has been entirely restored;... these major restorations have lasted for four years. The features Piazza Banchi shows nowadays go back in history and date back to more than ten centuries ago when right here they used to trade in wheat, hire sailormen and bargain over boat rentals. Then in the 16th century the urban-planning revolution took place, and the Loggia of Merchants and the Stock Market, being the very first one in Italy and meant to bargain over corn, were born; at the very same time two buildings were merged to give birth to Palazzo Serra, with many little shops (“botteghe”) on the ground floor. And it was right here that over the centuries aristocracy and commons fought their wars, winning or losing. Outside the palazzo original frescos have been preserved, according to the architectural plan which decided for columns mixing Tuscan, Doric and Corinthian styles; on the ground floor the Finale Ligure square-cut-stoned ashlar has been preserved. On the inside the main piece of news regards the re-opening of the old “botteghe” on the ground floor. The Locanda di Palazzo Cicala has recently acquired two apartments with the beautiful Palazzo Serra, located respectively on the second floor and on the fourth floor; each of them has its own features and peculiarities which make it unique. The first apartment offers three bedrooms, while the second apartment offers one bedroom. Both apartments are supplied with a spacious and luminous living area and a spacious bathroom with shower and bath-tub. Services and comforts are of high hotel level, with daily cleaning and changing of towels and bed linen. On request detailed information about secured parking facilities, I-pad with free internet connection, multi-lingual touristic guide for taylor-made tours, laundry service, shopping delivery. Reception is open 24 hours a day at Palazzo Cicala.

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Additional Location Information

Genoa is like an open door to the sea, but its inner soul looks like a labyrinth, tangled with unexpected beauties which come to surface slowly.
Since one day would not be enough to see all Genoa amenities and beautiful features, what we are going to suggest you here is not a complete sightseeing tour but just a quick bite of what Genoa can offer you.
Palazzo Cicala is located in the very heart of one of the largest European historic city centres, which is crossed by “carruggi” (local name for small and narrow streets) over a surface of 113 ha. The palazzo hall overlooks the Piazza San Lorenzo, which dates back to 1500, and through its large windows you have a spectacular view over the San Lorenzo Cathedral, which was built between the year 1100 and the end of the 14th century.
You can get a deeper knowledge of Genoese Church and Christianity history in the nearby Via Tommaso Reggio, where the Museo Diocesano is located.
Strolling down Via San Lorenzo you reach the “Porto Antico”, getting across Palazzo San Giorgio and small spice-scented shops in Sottoripa.
The Porto Antico area, as we know it today, was planned by the famous Genoese architect Renzo Piano for the 500th anniversary of Columbus Day. The main attraction is surely the Aquarium, the largest one in Europe, but the Porto Antico offers many other amenities. We suggest you just some of them:
The Galata Museo del Mare (literally: the Museum of the Sea) offers an exhibition over 10,000 m2, and is the largest sea museum in the Mediterranean area.
The CittĂ  dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi (literally: the Children and Teen-agers City) is the largest recreational, didactic and educational area being set up for children and teen-agers aged between 2 and 14.
The Bigo: it is a panoramic elevator which allows you to have a look over Genoa from an unusual perspective – the view over the city with its hills on the back and in front of it the view over the harbor.
From the Porto Antico you go leave and go by boat on day trips to Camogli, San Fruttuoso, Portofino and Cinque Terre, or even just to the Palazzo del Principe, which used to be Napoleon’s dwelling when he visited Genoa in 1805.
Walking down Largo Zecca and Via Cairoli, you get to Via Garibaldi, previously called “Strada Nuova” (literally: new road), where the majestic Palazzi dei Rolli, part of UNESCO Humanity Heritage, are located.
At the beginning of the 15th century Pieter Paul Rubens had already written about the artistic treasures of these mansions in his book “Palazzi di Genova”, and made them well known all over Europe.
At a couple of minutes away from Via Garibaldi you meet Piazza De Ferrari, the very heart of the city where the main shopping streets begin from: Via XX Settembre, Via Roma and Via XXV Aprile. On the square there are the Carlo Felice Theater, brought back to Genoese audience after having been destroyed during the Second World War, the Belle Arti Linguistic Academy and the Palazzo Ducale.
Palazzo Ducale, which was Genoa Republic Government headquarters for over five centuries, still maintains magnificent vestiges and signs dating back to the period of the Genoese “dogi”. Palazzo Ducale’s rooms host important art exhibitions throughout the year. Nowadays you can visit the most prestigious and majestic areas within the Palazzo Ducale and the Torre Grimaldina as well, where they used to imprison political prisoners up to the beginning of the 20th century.
Do not miss the Casa di Colombo (Columbus’s House), next to Porta Soprana, which used to be part of the defense system of the city and was built in 1155.
And then indulge and treat yourself with an “aperitif” in piazza delle Erbe, and, while walking around, keep your eyes wide open in order not to miss the marvelous votive statues at street corners, as the one in piazza Pollaiuoli which represents St. Antonio da Padua and St. Caterina.
We hope you have appreciated the suggestions given to enjoy the beauties of our city at their best.
For any further information please do not hesitate to contact reception. At reception you can ask for a city map and / or buy tickets for the Aquarium (which allows you to skip the queue); for museum tickets, city tours, local transportation, theaters, exhibitions and shows, the tourist office, located in piazza De Ferrari at 2 minutes walk away from the hotel, is open daily.

Location Type City, Downtown, Ocean

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