All over Genova there are posters advertising free art exhibits. On Saturday we decided to check out Jeune Creation Europeenne (Young European Creations), which was on display in the basement of Palazzo Ducale. The exhibit showed modern art by young people from all over Europe. I never seem to get modern art, but it was still nice to wander around knowing that there would be a lot more free exhibits to come.

On our way to the exhibit, we had come across Sapore al Ducale, an open air food market that sets up in a plaza outside of Palazzo Ducale the second weekend of every month. This was more our style! Small producers lined up in white tent covered stalls selling all kinds of “gastronomic delights” from Liguria. There were entire stands of full of cheese, wine, olives, honey and pastries. We combed through the market taking time to absorb (and sample) everything, and left with a bag full of big green olives and three bottles of wine.

The next day we decided to check out Bocadasse, a small fishing village within the city limits of Genova. As we headed up the main street leading from the Old Port to the city center in order to catch the bus we came across another unexpected discovery. This time it was an antique car show. Gleaming, perfectly preserved Alfa Romeos, Ferraris, Triumphs and Fiats lined the street and the central Piazza de Ferrari. There were also LOTS of people out taking pictures, a testament to the Italian affinity for fine cars.

After admiring the cars we hopped on a bus to Bocadasse. It was just like we had heard. Colorful houses clustered in close proximity rose up from a little cove, and small wooden fishing boats lined up along a rocky jetty. We snapped a few pictures, and with nothing much left to do in Bocadasse we set out to walk home along Corso Italia, the main coastal street that leads back into central Genova.

Corso Italia is great on the weekends! The wide, tiled pedestrian sidewalk fills with promenading locals, and on the second Sunday of every month, which this just happened to be, vendors set up stands along the way. The vendors hawk everything from clothing to gadgets to garden shears, and of course, food! It was just about lunch time so we bought a loaf of bread, half a wheel of unmarked cheese and a stick of wild boar sausage, and sat down for an impromptu lunch overlooking the Mediterranean.

Last Modified : March 20th, 2007
Filed under : Italy, Food and drink
Navigate : Previous post / Next post