The UnipolSai Tower in Milan

La UnipolSai Tower in piazza Gae Aulenti a Milano

The UnipolSai Tower in Milan.
When I think of modern Milan, one of the first places that comes to mind is Gae Aulenti Square, an area where contemporary architecture has transformed the city’s appearance. Here, striking skyscrapers, innovative buildings and spacious pedestrian areas create a very different atmosphere from the historic streets and traditional squares found elsewhere in the city.
For anyone visiting Milan, this neighbourhood is well worth exploring. The contrast with the older parts of the city is immediately noticeable. Instead of historic façades and centuries-old monuments, the view is filled with glass surfaces, geometric shapes and buildings that seem to look towards the future. It is an interesting urban setting to discover on foot, especially if, like me, you enjoy taking photographs of architecture and city life.
One of the buildings that stands out in this modern skyline is the UnipolSai Tower, developed for the Unipol insurance group. The skyscraper forms part of the wider Porta Nuova district, one of Milan’s best-known examples of contemporary urban redevelopment. Its modern appearance contributes to the distinctive character of the area and creates an interesting relationship with the surrounding towers and open public spaces.
Gae Aulenti Square has become one of the symbols of this transformation. The elevated pedestrian square is surrounded by impressive architecture and attracts residents, office workers and visitors throughout the day. Walking around the square offers different viewpoints of the nearby skyscrapers and a chance to appreciate how contemporary design has helped shape a new image of Milan: dynamic, international and constantly changing.
When I photograph places like this, I enjoy looking for an angle that captures both the character of the building and its relationship with the surrounding urban landscape. A skyscraper is more than just a tall structure; it can also tell a story about how a city develops and adapts to new ideas. The photograph of the UnipolSai Tower preserves a memory of this contemporary side of Milan, where clean lines, reflections and open spaces create a distinctive architectural atmosphere.
If you are planning a visit to Milan, I recommend taking a walk around Gae Aulenti Square and the nearby streets. It is an excellent way to discover a different side of the city beyond its famous historic landmarks, museums and traditional Italian squares.

Which side of Milan do you find more appealing: the historic city with its traditional architecture, or the modern skyline of districts such as Porta Nuova? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

The UnipolSai Tower in Milan, a contemporary skyscraper in the modern Porta Nuova district near Gae Aulenti Square

Photo taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-M 11-22 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the Milanese city, click here:

Here’s where the tower is:

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The Capuchin Church Entrance in Sestri Levante

Ingresso chiesa dei Cappuccini a Sestri Levante

The Capuchin Church Entrance in Sestri Levante.
Some of my favourite photographs of the Bay of Silence are taken from the churchyard of the Capuchin church. I often return to this spot because it offers a wonderful perspective over one of the most beautiful corners of the Ligurian coast. The view is memorable, but I also enjoy looking at the small architectural details that give this place its own character.
The photograph shows the entrance to the church associated with the Capuchin convent. The structure around the doorway looks fairly modern to me, although I cannot say exactly when it was built. Its straightforward appearance is part of its appeal. There is no need for elaborate decoration when a building occupies such a remarkable setting, with the sea and the colourful houses of the Bay of Silence close by.
Sestri Levante lies in the province of Genoa, in Liguria, north-western Italy. The town is famous for its two bays: the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables. The first is especially atmospheric, with a sheltered curve of shoreline, buildings gathered close to the water and views that change beautifully throughout the day. Visitors often come here to photograph the coastline, stroll along the waterfront or simply enjoy the peaceful mood of the bay.
For anyone searching for the best viewpoints of the Bay of Silence, the churchyard near the Capuchin church is certainly worth noticing. It is a place where I can enjoy the wider landscape and, at the same time, turn my camera towards details that might otherwise go unnoticed. This time, I chose to focus on the entrance rather than making the bay itself the main subject. I like this kind of photograph because it offers another way to remember a familiar destination.
I took this photograph during one of my visits to this much-loved part of Sestri Levante. The building is simple, yet its position makes it feel connected to the wider beauty of the place. I find that some locations become special not because of a single monument or spectacular feature, but because of the relationship between architecture, light and scenery. It is the same feeling I look for when photographing the old lanes and historic buildings around the town centre.

Whenever I return to the churchyard, I find myself wanting to take another photograph of the bay. Have you ever stopped to look closely at the Capuchin church entrance while enjoying the view over the Bay of Silence? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Entrance to the Capuchin church in Sestri Levante, a simple architectural detail near the scenic Bay of Silence in Liguria, Italy

Photo taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and a Canon EF-M 22 lens.

Here’s where the church is located:

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Chiavari’s Old Town Buildings

I palazzi del carrugio di Chiavari

Chiavari’s Old Town Buildings.
One of the things I enjoy photographing in historic Ligurian towns is the architecture of their narrow streets, where ordinary buildings can reveal unexpected beauty. In this photograph from Chiavari, in Liguria, Italy, what catches my attention is the contrast between two adjoining buildings and the way they share a central stone column supporting the arches of the covered walkway.
The building on the left has a warm pink façade, pale decorative mouldings and green shutters. Its carefully framed windows and ornamental details give it an elegant appearance. The neighbouring building looks quite different, with weathered plaster, faded colours and patches that reveal the effects of time. Together, the two façades create an interesting visual contrast: one looks carefully maintained, while the other displays the character of an older surface that has been exposed to the elements for years.
I particularly like the open windows and tilted shutters, which offer little glimpses into the interiors. These details make the buildings feel lived in rather than simply architectural subjects. At street level, the arches shelter shopfronts and create a covered passage for pedestrians. The stone columns, dark paving and warm shop lights add further depth to the scene.
Chiavari’s historic centre is a wonderful place to explore on foot. Its traditional narrow lanes, known locally as *carruggi*, invite visitors to look upwards and notice details that might otherwise be missed. A decorative window frame, an old doorway or the shape of an arch can be just as interesting as a famous landmark. For me, these everyday architectural features are an essential part of a town’s identity.
In this picture, I wanted to emphasise the relationship between the two buildings and the central column that seems to divide the composition into two distinct halves. Despite their different colours and condition, the façades belong to the same streetscape, connected by the continuous arcade below. That shared architectural feature gives the image its balance and makes the contrast even more striking.
I often find that photographing historic streets is about slowing down and noticing how buildings relate to one another. A simple walk through an old town can reveal plenty of subjects when you take the time to look carefully.

When you explore a historic town, do you tend to look at the famous landmarks first, or do small architectural details like these catch your eye? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Two adjoining historic buildings in Chiavari, Italy, with green shutters, contrasting façades and a shared arched stone arcade

Photo taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-M 11-22 lens.

A Villa on Millo Street in Chiavari

Una bella villa in Viale Millo a Chiavari

A Villa on Millo Street in Chiavari.
Whenever I walk along Enrico Millo Street in Chiavari, I find myself admiring the many attractive villas that line the road. It is a long, straight street with a distinctive residential character, and I enjoy looking at the different buildings as I pass. Some catch my attention because of their decorative details, while others stand out through their proportions and understated elegance.
The villa in this photograph belongs to the second group. It has two storeys and a relatively simple appearance, without an excess of ornamentation, yet it feels solid and imposing. I like the way its architecture combines straightforward lines with a sense of dignity. Sometimes a building does not need elaborate decorations or an unusual shape to make a strong impression. Its overall proportions and the way it sits within the streetscape can be enough to make it worth photographing.
Enrico Millo Street is named after Enrico Millo, an Italian naval officer and politician who was born in Chiavari in 1865. He became known for his naval career and for his role during the Italo-Turkish War. His name gives this ordinary-looking urban street a connection to the city’s wider history, something that is easy to overlook while walking through the neighbourhood.
Chiavari lies in the Metropolitan City of Genoa, in Liguria, on Italy’s north-western coast. The town is especially well known for its historic centre, traditional arcades, narrow lanes and local shops. However, I also enjoy exploring the streets outside the oldest part of town. They reveal another side of Chiavari, with residential buildings, elegant villas and architectural details that help define its character.
This is one of the things I like most about urban photography: looking beyond the most famous sights and paying attention to buildings that are part of everyday life. A villa like this might go unnoticed by someone passing in a hurry, but taking a moment to look at it reveals the balance of its design and the quiet presence it brings to the street. I enjoy collecting these views during my walks because they offer a personal way to document the places I know.
Whenever I return to Millo Street, I find myself looking at the houses along the way and wondering about their histories and the people who have lived in them. This villa caught my eye because it manages to be both simple and imposing, making it a rewarding subject for a photograph.

When you visit Chiavari, do you also take time to admire its residential villas and architecture beyond the historic centre? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Two-storey villa on Enrico Millo Street in Chiavari, Italy, featuring simple lines and an elegant, imposing residential design

Photo taken with Honor 20.

Where the villa is located:

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  • Italiano