The Piazza de Ferrari is the central square of Genoa and the spot where the old and the modern city meet. The Via XX Settembre, which runs east from the square, is the artery of the new part of the city. The square is surrounded by several monumental, historic buildings, the most striking ones being the Palazzo Ducale, the Teatro Carlo Felice and the Sant’Ambrogio Church.
Piazza De Ferrari Genoa
Useful information
Public transport: Metro: De Ferrari (MM); bus: 15, 17, 35, 37, 42, 44, 607, 635, 641, 685, 686, 687 (Dante1/De Ferrari).
History and description
The Piazza de Ferrari is located at the edge of the oldest part of the city. It is also the square where modern Genoa begins. Most of the stately palaces around the square are nowadays occupied by banks and insurance companies.
What to see
The Teatro Carlo Felice is characterized by its 19th century neo-classical facade. In front of this building is a bronze equestrian statue, which depicts Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The side of the Palazzo Ducale is strikingly painted. This palace was originally built in the 13th century, but later restored multiple times. The facade dates back to the 19th century. Today it is the seat of a number of municipal offices.
The Sant’Ambrogio Church was built in the 16th century. Both the main altar and the 3rd altar on the left are graced by paintings by Rubens.
The neo-baroque building on the east side of the Piazza De Ferrari is the Palazzo della Borsa (“Stock Exchange”).
The Palazzo della Regione Liguria is also situated on the square. The gallery in this building exhibits art from mainly Genoa and the rest of Liguria.
At the corner of the Via Roma, from which you can access the Galleria Mazzini shopping arcade, stands the Teatro Carlo Felice, built in 1828, and reconstructed after World War II. Among Italy’s finest and largest opera houses, this new state-of-the-art venue has flawless acoustics and hosts jazz and opera concerts.
In the center is a fountain with a large circular basin.
Important streets leading to the square are the Via XX Settembre and the Via Roma. The Via XX Settembre and its side streets are lined by large, stately art nouveau palaces.