The most impressive basilica in Genova

#mediterranean #italy #liguria #europe #genoa #genova Visiting the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato in Genova was a bit overwhelming—in the best way. From the outside, it looks fairly plain, but as soon as you step in, the interior is completely different. The ceiling, the columns, the chapels—everything is covered in rich decoration, gold details, and paintings. It feels like every inch was designed to impress. I noticed that some areas had missing or damaged paintings, especially in the side chapels and parts of the vault. From what I read, a lot of that damage happened during World War II bombings, which hit parts of the city hard, including the basilica. Some frescoes were either destroyed or badly damaged and haven’t been fully restored. Even with that, the place is still incredibly striking. The scale of the decoration and how much of it has survived is impressive. It’s quieter than some of the more well-known churches, and that made the visit feel more personal somehow. You can just walk around slowly and really notice the details without the usual crowds.