Chiesa e Chiostro di San Matteo

Abbey · Genoa

Chiesa e Chiostro di San Matteo

Abbey · Genoa

Piazza di S. Matteo, 18, 16123 Genova GE, Italy

Highlights

Nestled in Genoa, this 12th-century Gothic gem features a striking striped facade and houses the historic sword of Andrea Doria.

Piazza di S. Matteo, 18, 16123 Genova GE, Italy Get directions

parrocchiasanmatteo.org

@afar

"Venetian glass mosaics in Liguria Built in the early 12th century as the private chapel of the powerful Doria family, the Church of San Matteo is adorned with a stunning Venetian glass mosaic over the entrance flanking the small piazza (not an everyday experience in 10th century Genoa ). While the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Venice were deep enemies at this time, the mosaic was fashioned by imprisoned Venetians from the near-by Genovese jail. While not open very often, peek inside if you can for a glimpse of the gorgeous frescoed ceilings, and the 'original' sword of Andrea Doria himself."

Look up! Genoa's Best Church Ceilings

View Postcard for Abbazia di San Matteo

Giovanni Bruno

Google

A very pretty church near the Cathedral of Genova. The church serves as the chapel of the Doria family, an ancient and noble genovese family. It was constructed in a gothic style. Inside you will find many tombs of various Doria’s, and in the cloister, there are various scenes from Genovese history- such as the victory against Pisa. One of the columns in the church is red- according to local genovese history, that is the Blood of Branca Doria- a man who killed his son-in-law because he wanted his lands back in the late 13th century. Overall a hidden gem of Genova

Elisabetta Borzini

Google

This cloister (and the square around it) is amazing! It can be visited in about half an hour - but if you are a medieval art conaisseur you may want to spend the entire day here! If you can get a guide in advance so you can learn all about genovese history from the 13th century onwards. Don’t miss out on the San Matteo church (next to the cloister, with the traditional genovese marble and slate façade) and the buildings surrounding the square!

DAVID SNYDER

Google

Beautiful church with some outstanding frescoes and sculpture as well as an adjacent cloister.

G Kom

Google

Impressive church on the outside

Michael Billinge-Jones

Google

Very different from other churches nearby as it is very plain inside. This is where Christopher Columbus was christened

Antoine M

Google

This Gothic building with its white marble and black slate stripes is almost obscured by its surroundings. It had gone through transformation since it was founded in 1125 by Martino Doria. As a private chapel for the Doria family, it had seen renovation works with additional work like the presbytery and the dome, nave and aisles and various decorations. According to its history, the sword housed under the altar belonged to Andrea Doria, was donated by Pope Paul III. It's worth exploring.

Pietro Parisi

Google

A scandal,to put an ugly table to celebrate facing the people.Be sensible to History and the Traditions.Remove that desk please.

Charles Blunt

Google

Amazing monument to history. Andrea Doria born and buried in the same square. A giant of history.

Eric B.

Yelp

In Italy, there seems to be an interesting church around every corner. I consider myself to be a spiritual person and this Chiesa di San Matteo immediately caught my attention. I think it was the sight of the Parish Priest standing outside the distinctive structure that really intrigued me. The Church was founded in 1125 by Martino Doria, as the private chapel of his family. In 1278 it was totally renewed in Gothic style. This church asks that photos not be taken inside, and I was happy to just stand there and watch as the Priest and assistant were preparing the Altar