Via di Prè

Welcome to Via di Prè, one of the most storied and misunderstood thoroughfares in the historic center of Genoa. This long, narrow alleyway, or 'caruggio,' stretches from the Commenda di San Giovanni di Prè toward the heart of the…

At the western end of the street stands the magnificent Commenda di San Giovanni di Prè, a complex of two superimposed Romanesque churches and a hospital built in 1180. This was the headquarters of the Knights of St. …

As you move deeper into Via di Prè, look up. The buildings here reach five, six, or seven stories high, a necessity born from the limited space within the city walls. …

Despite its gritty reputation, Via di Prè contains remnants of Genovese nobility. Keep an eye out for grand marble portals with intricate carvings. …

At the end of Via di Prè, you are confronted by the massive twin towers of the Porta dei Vacca. This gate, part of the 12th-century walls known as the 'Mura del Barbarossa,' served as the western entrance to the city. …

To understand Via di Prè today, one must acknowledge its modern identity as a hub for Genoa’s immigrant communities. As noted in local culinary reviews, the street is now home to authentic restaurants and shops where you can find…

Hidden beneath and beside Via di Prè are the connections to the harbor that defined its existence. In the 19th century, various tunnels and passages were constructed to facilitate the movement of goods from the ships to the…

As we conclude our walk through Via di Prè, I hope you have come to see beyond the initial impression of decay to the deep, resilient history that lives in these stones. We have journeyed from the noble charity of the Commenda to…