The Clock of Santa Maria di Nazareth Church
The Tree-Lined Corso Torino in Genoa
The Tree-Lined Corso Torino in Genoa.
Walking near Piazza Savonarola, in the Foce district, I found myself following the long row of trees lining Corso Torino. This tree-lined avenue is one of those urban views I enjoy observing during my photographic walks around Genoa. I particularly like the way the greenery blends into the surrounding architecture, adding a distinctive character to an otherwise everyday city street.
Corso Torino runs through one of the best-known areas of eastern Genoa. This is the Foce district, in Genoa, Liguria, Italy, an urban neighbourhood characterised by relatively wide streets, residential buildings and spaces shaped around everyday city life. The atmosphere here is quite different from the narrow lanes of the historic centre. Instead of the dense network of alleys and old buildings, the streets open up, offering longer perspectives in which trees and buildings share the same urban landscape.
I enjoy photographing places like this during my walks around the city, even when there is no famous monument or particularly remarkable building to capture. Sometimes the most ordinary details provide the most interesting photographic opportunities. In this case, I wanted to focus on the sequence of trees along Corso Torino. Their presence creates a visual rhythm along the avenue and makes this stretch of Genoa recognisable in its own way.
The area around Piazza Savonarola is an interesting place to observe this part of the city. The square forms part of the urban fabric of Foce, a neighbourhood where residential architecture, everyday businesses and greenery coexist. It is not a natural landscape, of course, but an urban environment in which trees play an important role. They soften the appearance of the street and help make the surrounding buildings feel less imposing.
There are also two small details in this photograph that deserve a closer look: the green newsstands along the avenue. They are modest structures, easy to overlook when walking past without paying attention, but they add a familiar touch to this part of Corso Torino. What caught my eye was the fact that they are still there, surviving the changes that have gradually transformed the city and the way people use its streets.
Traditional newsstands once played an important role in Italian neighbourhood life. They were places where people stopped to buy newspapers, magazines and other publications, often becoming familiar meeting points for residents. Their number and function have changed over time, partly because of the shift towards digital news and online reading. Those that remain are still a visible reminder of an older form of everyday street commerce.
I took this photograph myself during one of my walks through Genoa. I was not looking for a particular landmark or a famous architectural feature. I simply wanted to capture a familiar urban scene, paying attention to the relationship between the trees, the buildings and the small structures along the pavement. This is one of the aspects I appreciate most about urban photography: it encourages me to look more carefully at places that might otherwise become part of the background of everyday life.
If you are exploring Genoa and wondering what to see beyond the historic centre, the Foce district offers a different perspective on the city. Walking along Corso Torino, especially around Piazza Savonarola, gives you an opportunity to observe a more residential and everyday side of Genoa. It may not be one of the city’s most famous attractions, but it is precisely this ordinary character that makes the area interesting to photograph.
On Lucadea.com, I have also shared other photographs of Genoa, featuring historic streets, squares and less familiar corners of the city. Together, these images create a personal collection of urban impressions, showing that Genoa is not only about its best-known monuments and picturesque old town. Its identity can also be found in the avenues, neighbourhoods and small details encountered during an ordinary walk.
When you explore a city, do you prefer its tree-lined avenues and open streets, or do you find yourself more attracted to the narrow alleys of the historic centre? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-S 10-18 lens.
Here’s the exact spot where I took the photo:
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The Piacentiniano Center in Bergamo
The Piacentiniano Center in Bergamo.
Walking through the heart of Bergamo’s lower town, I found one of the most elegant and balanced urban spaces in modern Italian architecture. The Piacentiniano Center stands out for its symmetry, the use of stone, and that sense of order that invites you to slow down and observe.
In this shot, I tried to capture one of the most representative arcades, with columns perfectly framing the view toward the building in the background. The central perspective naturally guides the eye, while the person walking through the scene adds a sense of everyday life.
Bergamo, in Lombardy, Italy, is well known for its dual identity: the historic upper town and the more modern lower city. The Piacentiniano Center belongs to this second part and was designed in the early 20th century by architect Marcello Piacentini, creating a spacious and well-organized urban area.
A notable detail visible in the photo is the Latin inscription above the arch: “CIVIVM COMMODITATI VRBIS ORNAMENTO,” emphasizing that this space was designed for the comfort of citizens and the beautification of the city.
Photographing a place like this means capturing not only architecture but also how it is lived. The arcades host cafés and shops, people pass through, stop, and meet. It is a space designed for everyday life.
On the blog, I have shared other Italian locations where architecture and daily life come together, because these are the places that best express the true identity of a city.
This image makes me reflect on how the balance between aesthetics and function can create truly enjoyable spaces. Do you prefer historic old towns or more modern and rational architecture? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photos taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.
To see all the photos I took in Bergamo, click here:
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The rights on images, videos, choruses, text and all other material on the LUCADEA.com website are governed as per Copyright page.
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The Basilica of Carignano, a Genoa Landmark
The Basilica of Carignano, a Genoa Landmark.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Carignano is one of the largest and most recognisable churches in Genoa. Standing on Carignano Hill, in a commanding position overlooking the harbour and much of the city, this magnificent building is one of the most important landmarks in Genoa’s historical and artistic heritage. Its impressive scale, distinctive architecture and prominent setting make it a familiar feature of the city’s skyline, visible from many different viewpoints.
The history of the basilica is closely connected with the Sauli family, one of the most influential aristocratic families in the Republic of Genoa. It was the Sauli who commissioned the church during the second half of the sixteenth century, choosing an ambitious project intended to demonstrate their wealth, influence and prestige. Some historical interpretations also suggest that the undertaking may have been motivated by a desire to compete with the powerful Fieschi family, which had already established an important presence in the religious and political life of Genoa.
Construction began in 1552, based on a design by the architect Galeazzo Alessi, one of the leading figures of the Italian Renaissance. The project adopted a centralised layout inspired by the great architectural tradition of Renaissance churches. Its Greek-cross plan, large central dome and four bell towers at the corners give the building a remarkably distinctive appearance. The result is a monumental structure that stands out from many other churches in the city.
The basilica’s location is just as impressive as its architecture. Carignano occupies one of the hills surrounding Genoa’s historic centre, and the church seems almost to watch over the city from above. From nearby viewpoints, it is possible to admire the harbour, the rooftops of the old town and the hills rising behind the urban landscape. It is a place where architecture and scenery come together, offering a different perspective on Genoa from the narrow streets and waterfront areas for which the city is so famous.
The interior is equally worth exploring. Its spacious layout, balanced proportions and the natural light entering through the dome create a solemn and impressive atmosphere. The basilica also houses important works of art, including sculptures by Pierre Puget and Filippo Parodi. These works reflect the artistic richness of Genoa during the seventeenth century and the Baroque period, when the city was one of the most important cultural and commercial centres in the Mediterranean.
One interesting feature is the centralised design itself. This was an ambitious architectural choice for a church in Genoa during the sixteenth century. Its unusual layout and monumental dimensions make the Basilica of Carignano quite different from many other religious buildings in the city and help explain why it has become such an important symbol of the neighbourhood.
Today, the Basilica of Carignano remains deeply appreciated by the people of Genoa. It is more than a place of worship: it is part of the city’s landscape, history and collective memory. I find it fascinating to think about how much Genoa has changed over the centuries, while this magnificent church has remained on its hill, overlooking the harbour and accompanying the transformation of the surrounding neighbourhoods.
And what about you? Have you ever visited the Basilica of Carignano and admired Genoa from the hill on which it stands? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photos taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-S 10-18 lens.
The Borzoli district plaque in Rapallo
The Borzoli district plaque in Rapallo.
While walking through the streets of Rapallo’s historic center, I came across this small but meaningful detail: a plaque that reflects part of the city’s historical organization. It is often through these subtle elements that we can better understand the identity of a place.
The photo shows the plaque of the Borzoli district placed on the wall of a building in the heart of the town. Around it, the warm tones of Ligurian houses and traditional shutters create a familiar and welcoming atmosphere typical of the Riviera. These everyday architectural details give each corner its own character.
Rapallo, in Liguria, Italy, still preserves traces of its historical division into districts, known as “sestieri.” Borzoli is one of them, and these plaques serve as reminders of how the city was once organized.
Taking photos of details like this allows me to tell a different kind of story, moving beyond the most famous views and focusing instead on the small elements that define a place. A simple plaque can reveal history, tradition, and a sense of belonging.
An interesting curiosity is that these districts were not only administrative divisions, but also played a role in social life and local traditions.
On the blog, I have shared other views and details from Rapallo and the Ligurian coast, because I believe that these small discoveries make every walk more meaningful.
This image reminds me that cities are full of hidden stories, often written on their walls. Have you ever noticed a small detail that changed the way you see a place? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with Canon EOS R50 V and lens Canon RF 24-50.
Biduino’s Medieval Carving at San Salvatore in Lucca
Biduino’s Medieval Carving at San Salvatore in Lucca.
Walking through the historic streets of Lucca, in Tuscany, it is almost impossible not to come across something beautiful or interesting at every turn. Sometimes it is a famous monument, while on other occasions it is a small architectural detail that could easily go unnoticed unless you stop and take a closer look. This carved stone lintel, set into the façade of the ancient church of San Salvatore, is one of those details. It is a reminder of the remarkable artistic heritage preserved throughout this historic city.
The church, also known as San Salvatore in Mustolio, is documented as early as 1009 and was rebuilt during the 12th century. It stands in Piazza San Salvatore, in an area of the old town where Lucca’s history can be discovered in its churches, palaces and medieval buildings. Compared with some of the city’s more elaborate religious façades, the exterior of San Salvatore may seem rather modest. However, a closer look at its doorways reveals some fascinating works of medieval sculpture.
The carved lintel in this photograph is one of them. Its surface is filled with figures and architectural details that illustrate a religious story. In medieval times, sculptures placed above church entrances were not simply decorative elements. They often had a narrative and symbolic purpose, presenting episodes from religious tradition to the people who visited or passed by the church. In a way, the façade became a page carved in stone, telling stories that could be understood even by those who could not read written texts.
These works are associated with the artistic circle of Biduino, a sculptor active during the second half of the 12th century in the areas of Lucca and Pisa. He is an important figure in the development of Romanesque sculpture in Tuscany. His name is particularly valuable to art historians because some of his works carry his signature, offering direct evidence of an individual artist at a time when many sculptural projects were produced by workshops and groups of craftsmen.
There is an interesting distinction between the two carved lintels at San Salvatore. The relief on the façade is generally associated with Biduino’s workshop or artistic circle, while the lintel on the side doorway is the one that bears his signature. Both works are connected with stories from the life of Saint Nicholas. The façade relief illustrates the legend of the golden bowl, involving a banquet held by a Saracen ruler and a young man named Adeodatus, who is eventually returned to his family through the saint’s intervention. The signed side lintel depicts the first washing of the newborn Saint Nicholas, who, according to tradition, stood upright in the bathing basin while being washed.
I find it fascinating to think about how many generations have passed in front of these sculptures. They have witnessed changes to the city, its streets and the everyday lives of its residents, yet they still attract the attention of visitors today. The stone has naturally been marked by the passage of time, but these signs of age also give the carvings a special character. Looking closely, it is possible to appreciate the figures and the craftsmanship that went into creating them.
Lucca is a city that rewards anyone who enjoys exploring on foot without necessarily following a strict itinerary. Beyond its famous walls, squares and major churches, it preserves countless smaller details waiting to be discovered: a medieval doorway, a carved capital, a relief or an ornament set into an old façade. San Salvatore is one of those places where it is worth stopping for a moment. Something that might initially seem like a minor architectural feature can reveal a story stretching back almost a thousand years.
With this photograph, I wanted to draw attention to one of these remarkable examples of medieval sculpture. It is a small piece of history carved in stone, right in the heart of a city that continues to surprise anyone willing to look beyond its most famous landmarks.
And what about you? When visiting Lucca, do you take time to look for details like these on the façades of its churches, or do you tend to focus on the city’s best-known monuments? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-S 10-18 lens.
To see all the photos I took, over a couple of visits, to Lucca click here:
The dragon at Chùa Nam Sơn Temple in Da Nang
The dragon at Chùa Nam Sơn Temple in Da Nang.
Through my lens, I captured a fascinating detail from Vietnam: the dragon at Chùa Nam Sơn Temple, one of the most interesting things to see in Vietnam for those who appreciate traditional architecture and symbolic decorations. The golden figure surrounded by stylized clouds creates a powerful composition filled with colors, shapes and cultural meanings.
Looking closely at this photograph, I am drawn to the incredible precision of the decoration. The curved body of the dragon, the painted details and the geometric patterns behind it create a sense of movement that almost makes the sculpture appear alive. This is not simply an ornamental element; it is a small visual story built through craftsmanship and tradition.
I took this photograph at Chùa Nam Sơn Temple in Da Nang, Vietnam, a place where religious architecture, artistic details and local culture come together. The temple is known for its colorful spaces and decorative elements, making it an interesting place to explore for visitors who want to discover a different side of Da Nang beyond its beaches and modern areas.
The dragon has an important role in Vietnamese culture and is often connected with strength, protection, prosperity and harmony. One fascinating detail is that dragons in East Asian traditions are frequently linked to water and balance, which explains their presence in many temples and important buildings.
If you are visiting Da Nang, Chùa Nam Sơn Temple is a place worth seeing in Vietnam because its beauty is found not only in the overall architecture but also in the smaller details that reveal local beliefs and artistic traditions. The dragon shown in this image represents exactly this kind of discovery: a detail that invites you to stop, observe and understand the meaning behind the decoration.
This photograph connects naturally with other stories from my photo blog about Asian temples and traditional places, where I often focus on small architectural elements that preserve the identity of a culture. Sometimes a single sculpture or painted surface can tell a story as effectively as an entire building.
When I look at this image again, I see the dragon as a symbol of energy and imagination. The combination of golden tones, bright colors and elaborate patterns creates a unique visual experience, showing how art and spirituality can exist together in the same space.
For anyone searching for what to see in Da Nang, this temple offers a chance to discover a quieter and more symbolic side of the city. Photographing details like this allows me to remember not only what a place looks like, but also the atmosphere it creates.
Which detail of this Vietnamese dragon decoration would you like to explore more closely? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
To see all the photos taken in the pagoda, click here:
The Mangia Tower in the heart of Siena
The Mangia Tower in the heart of Siena.
Through my lens, I captured the Mangia Tower in Siena, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Tuscany and one of the places to see in Italy for those who love medieval architecture and historic city squares. The side perspective of this photograph reveals the connection between the tower, Campo Square and the elegant Public Palace, creating a scene where centuries of history meet the rhythm of everyday life.
Looking at this image, what immediately catches my attention is the balance between the impressive height of the tower and the harmony of the surrounding buildings. The warm brick structure rises above the square with a strong vertical presence, while the lighter stone section at the top creates a refined contrast that makes the monument instantly recognizable. The Mangia Tower seems almost too tall for the frame, yet it remains perfectly connected with the architecture around it.
I took this photograph in Campo Square, in Siena, Tuscany, Italy, one of the most famous urban spaces in the country and a place where history is still part of daily life. Walking through this square, I noticed how visitors and locals share the same environment, stopping to admire the buildings, sit in the open space or simply experience the unique atmosphere created by centuries of architecture.
The Mangia Tower was built in the 14th century and became a symbol of Siena’s civic identity. One of the most interesting details about this monument is that its height was intentionally designed to be almost equal to the height of the cathedral, representing a symbolic balance between political and religious power. This historical choice gives the tower an even deeper meaning when viewed through photography.
If you are visiting Siena, Campo Square is a place worth seeing in Tuscany because it offers much more than a famous view. The relationship between the Mangia Tower, the Public Palace and the surrounding medieval buildings creates a unique setting where architecture tells the story of the city. It is a place that invites you to slow down and observe the details that are often missed when simply passing through.
This photograph also connects with other stories from my photo blog about historic Italian towns and old squares, where buildings become witnesses of time and preserve memories through their shapes, materials and details. Every corner can reveal something different, and this is what makes photographing these places so fascinating.
When I look again at this image, I feel that the Mangia Tower represents the true character of Siena: elegant, strong and deeply connected to its past. The tower is not only an architectural symbol but also a constant presence above Campo Square, watching generations of people experience this extraordinary place.
Which detail of the Mangia Tower or Campo Square would you like to discover first? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with Canon EOS R50 V and Tamron 16-300 lens.
To see all the photos I took in Siena, click here:
Abandoned villa on Dei Devoto street in Lavagna
Abandoned villa on Dei Devoto street in Lavagna.
Standing in front of this abandoned villa, I found a quiet scene shaped by years of silence, where worn walls, empty windows and faded architectural details still preserve the feeling of a forgotten story. This forgotten building in Liguria represents the charm of abandoned places in Italy, locations where the traces of past lives remain visible through the surfaces and structures left behind.
When I photographed the facade, I wanted to capture more than the simple appearance of the building. I focused on the small details that reveal the passage of time: damaged decorations, aged surfaces and elegant shapes that continue to survive despite neglect. An abandoned villa can create a unique connection between architecture and memory, allowing the observer to imagine the voices, movements and everyday moments that once filled those rooms.
The photograph was taken in Lavagna, Liguria, Italy, along Dei Devoto street, where this abandoned villa remains as a distinctive element within the urban landscape. For anyone wondering what to see in Lavagna beyond the most familiar views, places like this can offer another way to understand the identity of a town and the transformations that happen quietly over decades.
Looking at this building, I imagined the period when it was still a living home, with occupied rooms, personal objects and families creating memories inside. A small historical curiosity is that many villas built between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were designed not only as residences but also as symbols of style, social position and architectural taste.
Through my photographic stories about forgotten buildings and hidden corners of the area, I often search for places where time has created a different kind of beauty. This abandoned villa is interesting because it shows how a place can lose its original function while still keeping a strong visual identity.
If you are visiting this part of Liguria, discovering locations like this can reveal a quieter side of the landscape, where everyday streets may hide unexpected stories. The value of this place is not only in its appearance but also in the questions it creates about the people who lived there and the changes that followed.
I have explored similar subjects in other posts about forgotten architecture and overlooked details of the territory, because these places often contain stories that deserve attention before they disappear completely.
Photography allows me to preserve these fragile moments, capturing buildings that exist between their past and their uncertain future.
Have you ever walked past an abandoned building and wondered about the lives that once happened behind its walls? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photos taken with Honor 20.
Where is the palace:
A modern portico in Sestri Levante
A modern portico in Sestri Levante.
I find myself walking under this modern portico in Sestri Levante, trying to follow the clean, repeating lines that stretch one after another into the distance. This urban corner is one of those places to see in Sestri Levante if you’re curious about the quieter, more everyday side of the town, far from the usual postcard views.
The concrete columns create a steady rhythm, almost hypnotic, while the bright shopfronts on the left add a splash of color that breaks the strict geometry. As I move forward, my steps seem to fall in sync with the structure itself, as if the space was designed not just to be seen, but to be experienced while walking through it.
This scene is set in Sestri Levante, Liguria, Italy, between Largo Giovanni Masi and via Eraldo Fico, an area that many might simply pass by without noticing. Yet it quietly shows how modern architecture blends into everyday life, where shops, signs and small details coexist with simple, functional design.
If you are visiting Sestri Levante, this is one of those spots that might not appear on a list of must-see attractions, but it’s still a place worth seeing if you enjoy observing how cities really live and breathe. There’s something interesting about how ordinary spaces can reveal unexpected beauty when framed through a camera.
I often find myself drawn to similar scenes, just like in other photos I’ve shared on the site from Ligurian streets and walkways, where repetition and perspective become the main subjects. Here, it’s the depth that caught my attention, that sense of being gently pulled forward, inviting you to keep walking until the very end.
A small note: structures like this, often built in the post-war period, were designed with practicality in mind, yet today they stand out for their minimal and functional style, which gives them a distinct visual identity.
Looking at how the light enters from the side and creates sharp shadows on the ground, I realize once again that even an ordinary place can turn into a compelling photographic subject. Do you ever stop to notice these hidden details while walking? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with Canon EOS R50 V and lens Tamron 16-300.
Where I took the photo:
