The Cloister of Sant’Andrea

The cloister of Sant'Andrea, in Genoa

The cloister of Sant'Andrea is a delicate medieval vestige, last witness of a great vanished convent, nestled near the Porta Soprana. The Genoa audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this cloister of the twelfth century, only survivor of a monastery demolished at the beginning of the twentieth century, saved for its beauty, restored in 1924, and whose rich decoration mingles biblical scenes and agricultural life.

History

On the way between the Porta Soprana and the house of Christopher Columbus, a stone silhouette stands out timidly from the vegetation: it is the cloister of Sant'Andrea, familiar to the Genoese but of which few know the origin. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the zone sheltered an immense convent of the twelfth century bearing the same name. By reason of the expansion projects of the city, the religious site was unfortunately demolished, in its great majority. But the cloister, judged of great beauty, was finally preserved, then restored in 1924 by an architect, before being reintegrated to its initial location, in memory of what was and is no more. By approaching, you discover the richness of its decoration, that goes from the scenes of the Old and the New Testament to the representations of the agricultural and pastoral worlds. This peaceful vestige, that invites to contemplation, testifies to the medieval monastic life of Genoa and offers, a stone's throw from the animated alleys, an interlude of calm and memory.

What to see

Here you discover, in the calm, the only vestige of a great convent of the twelfth century demolished at the beginning of the twentieth, saved for its beauty and restored in 1924; its rich decoration mingles scenes of the Old and the New Testament and representations of the agricultural and pastoral worlds. The cloister of Sant'Andrea is a place of memory to be approached with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The cloister of Sant'Andrea lies near the Porta Soprana and the house of Christopher Columbus, at the entrance of the historic centre of Genoa, reachable on foot. It is a vestige in free access in a verdant setting, conducive to calm. You discover it during a walk.

Why was the cloister of Sant'Andrea of Genoa preserved?

Because, during the demolition of the great convent of the twelfth century of which it was part, at the beginning of the twentieth century, this cloister was judged of too great a beauty to disappear; saved then restored in 1924, it was reintegrated to its initial location, in memory of the vanished monastery, and preserves a rich decoration of biblical and pastoral scenes.

Where is the cloister of Sant'Andrea in Genoa?

Near the Porta Soprana and the house of Christopher Columbus, at the entrance of the historic centre of Genoa, in Italy.