In the collective imagination, when talking about the history of Genoa, the first occupation that comes to mind is that of a sailor. It’s undeniable that the history of the city and the whole of Liguria is closely tied to the sea. However, not all the activities that have contributed to its development are related to the coast.

In fact, Genoa has 32 historic shops, stores that have been open for at least 75 years and are characteristic of the entire area. The municipality allows citizens and visitors to take tours during the summer season to get to know the city from a perhaps undervalued historical perspective. It’s not only the works of art or the landscape that define the identity of a place, but also the history of those who have lived there and contributed to its progress.

The oldest shop dates back to 1650. It is the Sant’Anna Pharmacy, located inside the convent of the Discalced Carmelites. For two centuries now, it has been open to the public, with its evocative historical construction. For the art of silver treatment, the Sismondi shop has been open since 1763 and hasn’t changed for more than a century. After all, this activity became common in Genoa since the Middle Ages, with goods arriving from ships.

The tour of the various historic shops is an interesting experience, both for those visiting the city for the first time and for those who live there and experience it in their daily lives. Historical details, the development of techniques, and many interesting curiosities are explained in detail by those who practice the trades every day. Every week, from May to July, Genoa organizes itineraries that touch on some of the shops united by a theme. The departure is at 4:30 PM, and the experience is free. At the discretion of the participants, they can decide whether to make a voluntary donation to the Gigi Ghirotti association. The tours are organized by the Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with WTC Genoa, ASCOM Confcommercio, Confesercenti, and Lunaria Teatro.

The first itinerary includes a tour among apothecaries and pharmacists, discovering the evolution of a crucial profession from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The places covered by this tour are the Sant’Anna Pharmacy, Alvigini Pharmacy, Torielli Grocery, and Sormani Pharmacy.

A second possibility nods to the theme of clothing, retracing the customs of every era that has characterized Genoa’s very long history. It therefore passes through the Stagno shoe store and the clothing stores Finollo, Pissimbono, Pescetto, and Lucarda.

The third itinerary makes your mouth water, following in the footsteps of historic confectioners. We have already talked about Genoese food traditions for the winter period, but the summer atmosphere has a completely different effect. The food tour starts from Viganotti chocolate shop and continues to the Klainguti bar, Romanengo confectionery, and Villa pastry shop, concluding at the Marescotti liquor store.

Finally, the “Arts and Crafts in the Streets of La Superba” itinerary, which touches on various types of shops: the Artisan Glass Shop, the Dallai Antique Bookshop, the Busellato stamp, plaque, and engraving shop, the Luico cork factory, and Arduino antiques. All places to discover, all experiences to try to truly know Genoa. To learn more, we refer you to the official website of the historic shops.