Genoa


A multicultural city on the move

Over the course of the past 25 years, the city of Genoa has absorbed various waves of migration from foreign communities. According to the Genoa Office of Immigration, the number of foreign residents in 2014 stands at around 55,000. The largest group is from Ecuador (approximately 18,000), followed by Morocco, Albania, Peru, China, Senegal and Sri Lanka. Other significant groups resident in Genoa are those from Bangladesh, India, Tunisia, Nigeria and the Philippines. In recent years, the largest recorded increases among foreign groups are those from Senegal, Bangladesh, Romania, India and Russia.

The highest incidence of foreign communities in the Genoa area is found in the centre west (the old town and Sampierdarena), Val Polcevera and the centre east.   The Genoa intercultural walks were developed through the Migrantour project following a previous feasibility study, and adopted the old town, symbol of the city and nerve centre of its transformation, as the pilot area. The area covered by the intercultural walks comprise three central neighbourhoods in the old town that are undergoing redevelopment and that demonstrate an above-average degree of community involvement from foreign communities as well as active participation from the local Genoese community. Reflecting this, the project partners include migrant organisations based in the area (like the association Co.li.do.lat.) and local authorities such as the Municipality of Genoa, which initiated the redevelopment of the old town, promoting activities for civic participation. The intercultural walks aim therefore to understand the new Genoese citizenry at the historic heart of the city.

Routes

The Old Town with the New Citizens
Intercultural walks begin at the exit of the subway station Principe in front of the Maritime Station from where the symbol of the city, the Lantern, welcomes and guides the visit migrates. The port with all its stories of arrivals and departures characterizes the “migrant” approach: we then arrive at the Commenda di Prè, a Romanesque complex dating back to 1180, which housed the pilgrims leaving for the Holy Land, the highest symbol of hospitality in the capital of Genoa. The walk continues along the main street of the district of Prè, a village known in past years for its crime, now inhabited by people of different origins who for years live together and intertwine to create a world of unique intercultural connotations. After passing through the monumental Porta dei Vacca, you enter the famous Via del Campo, made immortal by the song of Fabrizio De Andrè. Once in Piazza del Campo you can enter the “viadelcampo29rosso”, a museum dedicated to the songwriters of the Genoese school. From there, the walk reaches the area of the former Jewish ghetto where, if possible, you can visit the Islamic cultural center Khalid Ibn Walid, and then head to square Don Andrea Gallo, named after the Genoese priest who made the intercultural a mission of life. Finally, it is possible to go towards the Basilica of San Siro where, not only do we remember some anecdotes about the birth of the first basilica in Genoa, but we also meet the Peruvian “El Señor de los Milagros”. The day of migration from Genoa can be completed by combining it with a visit to the thematic route “Miraggio America”, section Memory and Migration of the Galata Museum of the Sea, or the Museum of World Cultures in Castello D’Albertis. To find more.

Info

In Genoa the intercultural walks are promoted by the Cooperativa Solidarietà e Lavoro

For more informations about Migrantour Genoa’s itineraries:
write to vdionisi@solidarietaelavoro.it or call +39 3484417922 

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