Savona

Introducing Savona

Behind Savona’s sprawling port facilities lies the city’s unexpectedly graceful medieval centre, which is well worth a stroll. Among the old town treasures to survive destruction by Genoese forces in the 16th century are the baroque Cattedrale di Nostra Signora Assunta (Piazza Cattedrale) and the lumbering Fortezza del Priamàr (Piazza Priamar). This imposing fortress guards a couple of sculpture museums and the Civico Museo Storico Archeologico (019 82 27 08; Piazza Priamar; adult/child €2.50/1.50; 10am-noon & 3-5pm Tue-Sat, 3-5pm Sun Jun-Sep, 9.30am-12.30pm & 3-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-noon & 3-5pm Sat, 3-5pm Sun Oct-May), which displays archaeological finds.

Art aficionados won’t want to miss the Pinacoteca Civica Savona (019 81 15 20; Piazza Chabrol 1/2; adult/child €4/2; 8.30am-1pm & 2-7pm Mon, Tue & Thu, 2-9pm Wed & Fri, 8.30am-1pm & 8-11pm Sat & Sun Jul & Aug, 8.30am-1pm & 2-7pm Mon, Tue & Thu, 2-9pm Wed & Fri, 8.30am-1pm & 3.30-6.30pm Sep-Jun), which has an important collection of religious paintings, including a Madonna and child by Taddeo di Bartolo, dating from the 14th to 15th centuries; and two Picassos.

The tourist office (019 840 23 21; iatsavona@infocomm.it; Corso Italia 157r; 9am-12.30pm & 3-6pm Mon-Sat, 9am-12.30pm Sun Apr-Sep, 9am-12.30pm & 3-6pm Tue-Sat Jan-Mar, Oct & Nov) is a short stroll from Savona’s sandy beach.

Whale-watching expeditions depart from Savona in spring.

Last updated: Oct 27, 2008