San Lorenzo Cathedral

The cathedral of San Lorenzo, in Genoa

The cathedral of San Lorenzo is the emblematic religious monument of Genoa, a superb mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The Genoa audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this building begun around 1100 and completed in the fifteenth century, with its façade striped with white and black marble, guarded by two lions, whose interior shelters the chapel of the presumed ashes of Saint John the Baptist, patron of the city.

History

What would the historic centre of Genoa be without this emblematic monument? Much less special. Begun around 1100, consecrated in 1118 and completed in the fifteenth century, the cathedral San Lorenzo is a happy mixture of styles: Ligurian Gothic in the white and black polychrome bands of its façade, pure Gothic in its three portals, and Romanesque in its massive structure, the only heritage of its early years. Under the gaze of the two great lions added in 1840, the interior calls for contemplation and disconcerts by its half-tone ensemble, first stripped by the marble, then enriched with frescoes, gilding and decorations. In the left nave, you pass in front of the chapel of Saint John the Baptist, where the presumed ashes of the patron saint of the city would be preserved. Opposite, in the right nave, a striking war memory awaits the visitor: placed on a small column, a shell fired by the British army on the cathedral during the Second World War, which, by luck for the Genoese, did not explode. You will visit this place of prayer with respect.

What to see

Here you admire, in contemplation, the emblematic cathedral of Genoa, begun around 1100 and completed in the fifteenth century, mingling Romanesque and Ligurian Gothic in its façade striped with white and black marble guarded by two lions; inside, the chapel of the presumed ashes of Saint John the Baptist and a British shell of the Second World War, remained unexploded. The cathedral of San Lorenzo is a major place of prayer, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The cathedral of San Lorenzo stands in the heart of the historic centre of Genoa, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship in activity, whose access is made in the respect of the services and of contemplation; the entry is generally free and the hours vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to adopt correct attire.

What mixture of styles does the cathedral San Lorenzo of Genoa present?

Begun around 1100 and completed in the fifteenth century, it mingles Romanesque, in its original massive structure, and Gothic: Ligurian Gothic in the white and black marble bands of its façade, and pure Gothic in its three portals; guarded by two lions, it shelters the chapel of the presumed ashes of Saint John the Baptist and an unexploded British shell of the Second World War.

Where is the cathedral of San Lorenzo in Genoa?

In the heart of the historic centre of Genoa, in Italy.