Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built on the site of an ancient temple destroyed by the Genoese. The impressive Baroque-style facade was created in 1886. Inside the cathedral, you can see sculptures from the Renaissance period (a marble crucifix, a baptismal font, and a pulpit dating from 1522). Attached to the cathedral is a museum of church treasures, where some paintings by famous Italian masters and valuable items of religious worship are kept.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is located near the Savona Cathedral. It was built by order of Pope Sixtus IV in 1481-1483 as a mausoleum for the burial crypts of his parents-Leonardo Della Rovere and Lichina Montleoni-who were from Savona. The Sistine Chapel of Savona has recently been restored and is now often used for cultural events. The interior decoration was designed by artist Paolo Brusco and architect Emanuele Tagliafichi.
Leon Pancaldo Tower
The Tower of Leòn Pankaldo, or Torretta, is a symbol of the city and is located in the square of the same name, named after the Savonese navigator who completed the first circumnavigation together with Magellan. The tower was built in the 14th century; originally it was called the “Torre della Quadra” (Watchtower) and formed part of the fortress wall that protected the city from attacks. After the city walls were destroyed by the Genoese in 1527, only the tower remained, and it was later reconstructed on several occasions.
Pryamarn Fortress
Priamar Fortress, which, according to one of the versions, means “stone by the sea,” was built by the Genoese Republic in 1542 as a way to reinforce Genoese rule in Savona after its final conquest in 1528. Today, the fortress houses an archaeological museum, the “Sandro Pertini” museum of modern art, and the Renata Cuneo museum of sculpture and ceramic works.
