If you are in Genoa or you are about to visit it you can abandon yourself to the wonder of nature in the heart of the district of Voltri, where the Park Villa Duchessa di Galliera is located.
When you adventure to discover the city, whether it is your own or the one that is hosting us, it is often the nature that amazes you that infiltrates it. The park, the countryside allowed to flourish, the dimension of the wild that opens to the sight suddenly, in the midst of the palaces and the trappings of humanity, offers an instinctive pleasure, which seems somehow linked to the nostalgia of times (and places) gone.
Unknown even to many of the same Genoese the Park is a treasure dear above all to those who have preserved among its avenues childhood memories: the walks hand in hand with his grandfather, the festive bells of the Sanctuary Madonna delle Grazie or the games in the courtyard of the elementary school Voltri, which is still based here.
The Park and the Villa that rises inside lead in reality to all sorts of discoveries, not only naturalistic, and thus constitute an alternative itinerary out of the usual turns.
Dal web
A stroll through the avenues of the Park, a guide to orient yourself
The Park Villa Duchessa di Galliera is one of those places in the heart where it is worth walking, even getting lost a little. The exploration leads to waterfalls, caves, roof terraces, animal enclosures and poetic views of the sea.
The order imposed by the gardener on the botanical species in the flowerbeds alternates with the spontaneity of the brambles that dot the undergrowth.
A lot of romanticism is forgiven for some missing indications: the orientation inside the Park is a bit difficult but this is an unmissable opportunity to enjoy -once in a while- a day without to do (and “to view”) list.
If you are by car reach the Park from the motorway exit of Prà, turning towards Voltri. Continue on the Aurelia for about 1 km and look for parking preferably on the seafront because at the entrance you can not leave the car.
For those arriving by train, the Park is just a few minutes walk from the train station.
Once you enter you can immediately visit the Italian garden overlooking the Villa, take one of the main streets or choose to stroll through the paths. Here you will occasionally encounter monumental trees, native and non-native plants, fountains, children’s play areas, benches and tables.
It houses noble roses, named de facto. Unique specimens created by master breeders or linked to important personalities of national history. In the central fountain there are aquatic species such as iris while in the side groves you will enjoy the sentimental company of magnolias and specimens of Sophora japonica.
In the first half of the 19th century the camellias of the garden were sent as gifts to Maria Theresa, Queen of Sardinia and wife of Charles Albert of Savoy. Walking through the paths it is easy to imagine scenes from the distant past, hunting and courtship held in secret by the shadow of the hedges.
dal web
The villa and the theatre
The first cannot be visited because, as a premise, it houses a school. Only on some special occasions -events or celebrations- will you have access to the Hall of Shells, sumptuously decorated with coral pebbles, marble, serpentine and shells made of porcelain and glass.
From here passed illustrious and crowned guests: Maria Cristina of Savoy, Ferdinand II of Bourbon, King Charles Albert, Queen Maria Theresa of Habsburg and the emperors Franz Joseph of Austria and Wilhelm II of Germany.
The theater -dated 1786- is among the oldest in Italy. It is accessed by an exhibition that collects valuable marble found in the Villa. Some original mechanisms of the scene (work of Tagliafichi, chief engineer of the Sant’Agostino theater in Genoa) are still beautiful exhibition of himself.
dal web
The viewpoint
One of the many viewpoints of the Park, offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a fairy-tale landscape equipped with castle, ponds, waterfall (inside stalactites and stalagmites) and walkable caves.
The romantic forest
On the eastern side there is the romantic forest: it overlooks the highway but once you enter the dense vegetation (typical Ligurian) the sounds of nature have the better on the engines. Here you forget queues and commitments and even the most tired mind finds a way to recharge.
This area has been recently restored on the basis of the traces found in the historical documentation but also following the dictates of gardenesque (also known as “Victorian garden”, in the ‘800 was a true status symbol) and the wild garden, with the creation of outdoor rooms dedicated to different species and blooms of strong chromatic impact.
dal web
The Sanctuary N.S. delle Grazie
It houses architectural and pictorial works from the fifteenth century, a gallery of votive offerings and the crypt.
The historic olive grove
It dates back to the end of 1600 and after years of neglect is now productive again.
Deer and goat pens
At the end of the path, right at the top, the view opens onto large fences that house fallow deer and goats. They have finished the grass inside and are easily conquered by the fresh tufts that you can tear with your own hands in the surroundings.
Accessibility of the Park
The Park has a generous extension (33 hectares and 18 km), take this into account when planning your visit. From the main gate to the highest point, where the animal enclosures are located, the journey time is about 20 minutes.
The roads are uphill, paved or beaten, in any case only the main ones are easily accessible by stroller or pram. In the equipped areas you can have a snack or a packed lunch.
When to visit the Park
In every season the Park Duchess of Galliera offers the opportunity to appreciate the transformations of nature, spontaneous or planted. The climate is always pleasant, at times slightly ventilated, with ample shading.
The visit is not recommended probably only immediately after the most abundant rains. The maintenance of the Park is a demanding task reserved for a group of volunteers and it may take a considerable time to restore any landslides in the paths and, in general, to wait for the water pools to dry.
The Park is also an evocative theater of events and shows to mark on the agenda following the Facebook page of the structure: guided tours, birdwatching, musical aperitifs, oil and wine tastings, thematic workshops for children. Wedding parties and other private events can also be held here on request.
Since some areas of the structure are periodically closed for restoration work it is better to verify that access is allowed by contacting the phone number 3279235389 or writing to the management via social media.
dal web
The gastronomic experience to add to your visit
Right where the city fades into the countryside, you’ll find a traditional inn. The menu of typical Ligurian cuisine that you can enjoy includes the Genoese roast (beef in onion sauce, actually of Campania origin and therefore a significant example of intra-regional contamination), the Ligurian rabbit (with potatoes, taggiasche olives and pine nuts) and brandacujun with aioli sauce.
The latter is a kind of creamed cod served with potatoes and garlic sauce. The curious origin of the name refers to the vigorous shaking necessary to reach the perfect degree of creaming.
In the far west of the city of Genoa reigns a special version of the Genoese focaccia. Passing in front of the family-run ovens of the neighborhood will captivate you from the aroma, then confirming itself at the bite as a real specialty with a very characteristic crunchy texture.
The bakers of Voltri are particularly attentive to the quality of raw materials and their origin exclusively local. They swear that the sea, the wind and the humidity contribute to the flavor of fugässa. Each strip of the 1,600 tons baked each year in the city of Genoa will then have its own distinctive flavor.
Needless to try to reproduce it at home, it’s up to enjoy it walking in the Park, resisting the temptation to share it with animals that, unlike us, would only get a tummy ache.
Copertina dal web
Autore articolo Blogger Eleonora Di Mauro