Description: In many ways, the trip my girlfriend and I took to Genoa turned my expectations on their head. Before we set-off, I was expecting big things from the Aquarium, the ancient harbour and Piazza Ferrari. None of these quite lived up to their billing. However, Genoa managed to compensate for this with some other attractions that went well beyond expectations. Chief amongst these was Via Garibaldi, which really not knocked me sideways. But, Cathedral San Lorenzo was also a very welcome surprise.
Unlike many major cathedrals, San Lorenzo is not particulary easy to spot as it is situated amongst several other tall buildings that keep it hidden until you get very close (although it is situated on Via San Lorenzo, which might be a clue that you are getting close). We approached it from the back whilst walking down the street from Piazza Ferrari to the Aquarium. The view from behind did not really give us much of a clue as to how beautiful the cathedral would be. The stonework and the architecture were beautiful and delicate, but it was only when a wide plaza opened up in front of the cathedral could we capture it in all its splendour.
The front of San Lorenzo is impressive. In sheer scale it is impressive and it really grabs the viewer's attention. This is heightened by the fact that Via San Lorenzo is on quite a steep slope and the cathedral looks down onto the square with a magnificently ominous feel. It also comes from the fact that the cathedral is very large and features a huge circular window that feels as though it is peering down into the space below.
The scale and architecture of San Lorenzo were very impressive. However, it was the details in the cathedral that really caught my attention. The first part of this was the brickwork, which, in many areas, alternates between white and dark grey. The columns that supported the doors were also fantastic. Many of them were carved with intricate designs, whilst others were curved or in spirals. It made San Lorenzo work on both a micro and macro level.
My one regret about our visit to San Lorenzo was that we could not go inside as it was closed. However, just the esterior was well worth it.
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