Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

Impressive cathedral that features the typical black and white marble stripes which were a symbol of medieval Genoese nobility. The church, without 5o Genoese Gothic architecture, was completed in the early 14th century. The ​Interior is primarily Romanesque, with Renaissance and Baroque additions in later centuries. Watch the lion sculptures besides the stairs at the front.

Beautiful must visit for any one of any religion the history and charm of Genoa and its Cathedral’s is lovely. Free and quick 10 min visit inside is all you need so don’t pass it up.

On this street, there are countless buildings that look like little palaces. Some can be entered for free, while others require a ticket to explore further. From the outside they don’t seem particularly special, but inside they’re full of surprises. I recommend going into one or two to take a look.

The church contains purported sacred relics of Saint John the Baptist (the city's patron saint), which arrived in 1099 AD; and the Sacred Belt of the Virgin Mary. Although I probably walked past the chapels with these relics, I didn’t know what I was looking at so didn’t get pics. So research beforehand so you don't miss them like I did!

Genoa's Cathedral of San Lorenzo (Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Lorenzo) is one of the city's most important and recognizable churches—a blend of history, diverse architectural styles, and rich sacred art. Below is a general description: history, architecture, interior, works of art, and interesting facts. The first churches on this site date back to the 5th and 6th centuries. An early basilica existed here, already being expanded and serving as a Christian community. The current church was consecrated by Pope Gelasius II in 1118, at which time San Lorenzo gained cathedral status. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the building underwent significant renovations: Gothic elements were added, and a distinctive façade, interior colonnades, and side chapels were created. After a fire in 1296, repair and reconstruction work were necessary. In the 16th century, the architect Galeazzo Alessi designed significant modifications, including: The dome, apse, and roofs of the side naves. Restorations were carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries, restoring or enhancing the medieval elements of the original building. This work was also carried out as part of the Jubilee of the Year 2000. The façade features characteristic black and white marble stripes—a feature common to many churches in northern Italy, including the influence of Pisa and Liguria. Three portals are decorated with reliefs and sculptures. The lunettes above the main portal feature a motif of the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo) and an image of God the Father with symbols of the Evangelists. Two towers (bell towers) flank the façade: one left tower was not originally completed, while the upper part of the right tower was completed later (16th century). The divergence of the towers gives the façade a slightly asymmetrical character. Stairs and fortifications in front of the cathedral: In the 19th century, the front stairs were rebuilt and marble lions were added, repositioned following urban changes (raising/lowering the square, etc.). The basilica has a traditional layout with three naves divided by columns. The side naves contain numerous chapels, donated by various families and foundations. Behind the main altar are the dome and apse designed by Galeazzo Alessi. The apse features late Mannerist and Baroque decorations, including frescoes by Lazzaro Tavarone. The Chapel of St. John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista) — one of the most valuable interiors: sculptures, reliefs, marble decorations, and works by artists such as Matteo Civitale, Andrea Sansovino, and Giovanni d’Aria. The interior is rich in frescoes, stained glass, marble decorations, and stucco; Decorative elements represent the artistic traditions of Liguria, Tuscany, and Lombardy. The Museo del Tesoro (Treasury of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo) — beneath the church, in cellars or vaults, it houses numerous sacred objects and relics from the 11th to the 21st centuries. Among the most important artifacts: Sacro Catino — a green crystal or glass bowl/dish, considered for centuries a probable "Grail," mythically associated with the Last Supper. Today, research indicates it is an Islamic/Shiite artifact from the 9th-10th centuries. Gold and silver arks and crosses, including the Zaccaria Cross. Ark of the Relics of St. John the Baptist — the saint's ashes from the Holy Land, donated to Genoa. San Lorenzo is the diocesan cathedral — the main church of the Archdiocese of Genoa. This place is important not only religiously, but also historically and socially. For centuries, the square in front of the cathedral (sagrato) was a place for public gatherings, political events, and urban rituals—it served as the "agora" of the medieval city. During World War II, the cathedral was hit by a bomb (1941). The bomb lodged in the nave, did not explode, and remains a curiosity within the building to this day. The celebration of the feast of St. Lawrence (August 10) is an important day for Genoa. Entrance to the cathedral is free, there is no waiting time, and the cathedral is open every day.

Such a beautiful church. It was free and definitely worth a visit inside. I was wearing shorts, and so they said people not go past a certain point wearing shorts or skirts. So be aware of that in summer.

Impressive exterior, with the black and white stripes, which also feature inside, but the inside leaves a little to be desired overall. Of course beautiful and intricate in design, but feels slightly unfinished and messy inside. Also got kicked out halfway through for wearing shorts, as many other comments mention. An odd experience overall - the basilica a few minutes walk away was much more impressive inside!

Gorgeous. Keep in mind they expect a dress code. So if you have tank top and a skirt you wont be able to go further in. Cathedral is free, but for a fee you can also go to the tower and museum. Very very pretty!

No visit to Genoa is compete without a visit to "Cattedrale Di San Lorenzo!" The architecture of the outside of the Cathedral, as well as the inside of the Cathedral are breathtaking in every way. Unfortunately, as of the time that I took these photos (July, 2022), the outside of the structure is being cleaned or restored so there is a lot of scaffolding, but do not let it prevent you from visiting! As you can see from my photos, it is still magnificent. Cathedrals and Holy Sites as amazing as "Cattedrale Di San Lorenzo" deserve to be kept up and looking great, so please be mindful of that if you visit!

The San Lorenzo Cathedral (St. Laurence Cathedral), or "Duomo," is Genoa's beautiful, old cathedral that was founded in the 4th or 5th century. It is located in the city center and has a black- and white-striped façade. It was built to hold what were said to be the relics of John the Baptist which the Genoese brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades and is supposed to be haunted by the workmen who built it. Don't miss the bomb launched by the British Navy. It came through the walls of this great cathedral, but did not explode on February 9, 1941. It was truly a lovely church! Inside the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo was the Treasure Museum. This is a small museum filled with an incredible amount of gold and silver objects. It was built in1956. You follow the signs in the front of the church to the sacristy, where you purchase your ticket. Then, you walk down a short flight of stairs to the entrance to the four rooms of the Museum. The silver statue is the reliquary of St. Lawrence. Don't miss the Sacred Basin, the Byzantine Cross of the Zaccaria, the plate on which the head of St. John the Baptist was carried to King Herod for his inspection, along with the reliquary ark of the Barbarossa and the 15th-century processional ark!

The Cattedrale di San Lorenzo is dedicated to Saint Lawrence (San Lorenzo), and is the seat of the Archbishop of Genoa. It began as a small church in the 5th (or so) Century and was "reimagined" several times before becoming Genoa's main cathedral in 1118. Construction continued for centuries incorporating numerous architects and styles throughout the years. The facade, with the black and white layered stripes of marble and slate is typical of Genova was finished in 1312. Gayle and I stopped into this stunning Cathedaral, but were somewhat limited in our visit and picture taking as we pretty much stayed withing the "fee free" zones and there was Mass going on inside one of the Chapels. By this time in our trip, we'd been inside a lot of Churches and spiritual fatigue has set in. Yet, the distinctive Duomo di Genoa is well worth a special and quirky look.

Stunning Cathedral. The exterior was fantastic, yet when we were there entrance was limited, yet we were able to get some excellent photos. I wish that we were able to see the interior, from the photos and what I hear it's beautiful.