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About the city
Part of the old city of Genoa was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 (see below). Also, the city's rich art, music, gastronomy, architecture and history, made it 2004's EU Capital of culture.
University of Genoa and affiliated hospitals
In the same area as the Faculty of Medicine is the San Martino Hospital, the main hospital of the city and one of the largest in Europe. It is defined as a “city in the city” as it extends over 3 hectars of terrain and has 20 km of internal streets, not to mention, a small electric internal bus, free of charge. The most important and nationally recognised departments include: cardiology, cardiosurgery, hematology, neurology, transplant unit, neurosurgery and emergency unit.
The Faculty of Medicine is also affiliated with the G. Gaslini Institute, a leading international hospital specialized in pediatrics, situated in Genova-Quarto at about 15-30 mins by bus from San Martino.
Some of the Medical Faculty laboratories are part of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology, a separate advanced research institution also located in the San Martino area.
Our strong point, in addition to state-of-the-art clinical practise, is our remarkable research activity in basic sciences such as immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and neurosciences, which makes the Faculty of Medicine in Genova one of the most productive in Italy in terms of publications and research grants.
Useful info for incomings
All main clinical departments at the San Martino Hospital are available to incoming students. We will aim to you with your first choice. Pediatrics exchange programme is offered at the "Gaslini Institute".
The exchange working conditions depend on the department and tutor's schedule. Normally, it is from 8 am o 1 pm and occasionally in the afternoon. You are expected to wear a white coat and have your own stethoscope. No preclinical students are accepted in clinical departments.
Certificate
Certificates will be provided after 3 complete weeks of attendance. It is your duty to get it signed by your tutor.
SISM Office
You will be introduced to our own small, cosy office the first days of your exchange:) It is in the so-called "Polo Alberti", the main building of the Faculty of Medicine. Here you will almost always find someone of the Local Committee, ready to help you in your needs or just have a friendly chat with you! Most importantly, you can have unlimited connection to internet(both wireless and on the office computers) to get in touch with your friends and relatives in your hometown or to do whatever you wish! It is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm.(However, in order to enter the office, someone of the Local Committee must be present as per LC regulations.)
Arrival
Incoming students will be met on arrival by their contact person anywhere in the city centre(usually the meeting point is in front of Genova Piazza Principe railway station). Therefore, if you come by plane, you need to organize yourself your journey to the city centre(see “Transportation” below); occasionally your contact person might be willing to pick you up at the airport of Genoa.
Please avoid, when possible, arriving at night time: not all contact persons will be able to meet you late at night; in this case, please organize your arrival as soon as possible with your contact person and/or LEO.
On arrival your contact person will take you to your room at the student hostel and provide you with a welcome kit including:
- Room keys
- Canteen badge and tickets
- “Scheda di notificazione”: a document you should fill in with your personal data for immigration record purpose. Along with it, we also need copy of your identity card or passport(Please have the ID copy ready when you arrive or send it with the Card of Confirmation!)
- Maps of the city
Accomodation
Most rooms are double-bedded with shared bathroom facilities; occasionally we might be able to offer single rooms with private bathroom use. The lodging includes use of the kitchen of the hostel, complete with cooking pans and cutlery, and of the common laundries, both situated on the groundfloor of the building.
On arrival you will be asked to deposit a sum of 50 euros, which will be given back to you at the end of the month, IF both your room and bathroom are left in the same conditions you found them when you arrived.
The lodging service for each student is valid for the calendar month. If you mean to arrive one or two days earlier, you will have to organize that with the LEO. We cannot guarantee we will be able to offer a room for the extra days.
Boarding
Students will be given 30 canteen tickets and a canteen badge at the beginning of their stay. They can be used in two of our university canteens:
- Gastaldi canteen, in Corso Gastaldi 25, in San Martino area
- Asiago in Via Asiago 2
The canteens are open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 2 pm and from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. On Saturday Asiago and Gastaldi are alternately open in the same hours as above.
The tickets let you buy a complete meal, which consists of a first course, a second course + side dish("contorno"), bread, water, and an extra(a fruit OR a yogurt OR a dessert)
You can use the tickets for both lunch and dinner.
At the end of the month, please give any leftover tickets to your contact person.
Internet
Internet service is NOT available at the hostel. You can use the wireless connection at the SISM office. If you don't have a computer, you can use the computers of the SISM office or the ones you can find in the computer room of Polo Alberti - 2nd floor. These solutions obviously imply you don't have internet over the week-ends. One internet point easy to find is in Piazza delle Erbe (Passe partout). Moreover, there are numerous wireless internet points across the city(lookout for the wireless logo!)
Social Program
A fixed appointment is the "Welcome Aperitivo" at the beginning of your exchange: we will offer you an "aperitivo" aka Happy Hour and on this occasion you will get the chance to get to know the genovese local committee.
Departure
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR CONTACT PERSON OF THE DATE AND TIME OF DEPARTURE IN DUE TIME!!! Make sure your certificate has all the right signatures. Before leaving, you need to return:
- leftover canteen tickets
- room keys
Your contact person will meet you the day of your departure to check your room and give you back your 50 euros.
Transportation
How to reach Genova
By plane
Arrival at Genoa airport “Cristoforo Colombo Airport”: Take the Volabus service, a bus directly connecting the airport to the centre town, from outside the airport and get off at Principe railway station, where your contact person will be waiting for you. Please visit [1] for up-to-date information on prices and timetables.
Arrival at Milan airports: Reach "Milano Centrale" railway station with the numerous shuttle bus services you'll find outside the airport. At "Milano Centrale" take a train to "Genova Piazza Principe". Visit [2] for information on prices and timetables. Remember: you can take “intercity or eurostar trains" or “regional trains” to reach Genova; the latter are much cheaper(about 10 euros!) and the journey lasts just 15 more minutes.
Arrival at Turin airport : reach the railway station ”Torino Porta Nuova” from the airport and then take the train to Genova Piazza Principe. The cost for the regional train is less than 10 euros and the trip lasts about 2h30min.
You can reach Genova by train also from Pisa or Rome, if you arrive there by plane.
By train
Your destination is "Genova Piazza Principe" station.
Going around the city
The city has two railway stations: the Piazza Principe railway station is the one nearer to the apartments for the incomings, the Brignole station is nearer to the university.
There is also an underground metropolitan service, which connects some of the main areas of the city including Piazza De Ferrari, Porto Antico, Principe.
Students can easily move around with buses. The buses connecting the hostel and the university are: n.33 till Brignole station and nos. 17/,45,18/,87 from Brignole to the San Martino area. You'll take about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the hospital from your hostel and the cost of the bus ticket(validity 90 mins - it can be used on buses, underground and local trains) is 1.20 euros.
You might want to consider buying the monthly bus&train ticket: it costs 36 euros and is valid on all local buses and trains(Genova Nervi to Genova Voltri) and on the underground service 24/7 for a month from the moment of validation on your first journey on the public transport network.
Climate
The sea reaches a depth of 1,000 metres at about 20 km from the coast. It is mainly calm, with a tide range of 30 cm, and a warm sea-surface temperature, which in September is about 23° C.
Sight Seeing
- Il Porto Antico (old port): It’s a square area jutting out in the Mediterranean Sea, it’s one of the most attractive tourist places and also one of the most visited in Italy. [3]
- Aquarium, Ponte Spinola, Area Porto Antico. A naturally exciting experience awaits you at Europe’s largest marine park: 71 tanks, 800 species, and over 10,000 specimens set against the incomparable backdrop of the Gulf of Genoa. [4]
- The Historic Centre: It’s the best example of entirely preserved Medieval town in Europe and in The Mediterranean area. A large part has been declared a World Heritage site by Unesco.
- Belvedere Luigi Montaldo Spianata di Castelletto: Gorgeous "terrace" hanging on the Historical center district, with fabolous view on the city and the port. Get there with the liberty style lift for an extra emotion.
- La Lanterna: Symbol of the town, the Lanterna (lighthouse) was built in the XII century, it is 117 m high and it guides the ships inside the harbour. Close to the Lighthouse there is the Museum which can be reached waliking for about 600 m along a promenade lining the Old Walls. [5]
- Palazzo Ducale: Since 1339 the Doges’ residence, it is a venue of excellence for major events and prestigious activities. [6]
- San Lorenzo Cathedral, Piazza San Lorenzo: Built about 1098 then widened, the San Lorenzo cathedral is dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, city patron and hosts two beautiful Museums: Museo del Tesoro and Museo Diocesano. [7]
- Via Garibaldi e i Musei di Strada Nuova Via Garibaldi In the splendid Via Garibaldi (sec. XVI) (aka Strada Nuova or "The golden street"), there is an extraordinary museum corner, with the “Strada Nuova museums”: Palazzo Bianco, Rosso e Tursi. [8]
- Palazzo Reale, Via Balbi, 10: Noble class residence, “reggia sabauda”, with the splendid Museo Nazionale in the centre of the manumental Via Balbi (sec. XVII). Evocative garden and terrace. [9]
- MUMA Galata Museum of the Sea: The sea world gets spectacular and innovative in the heart of the Port area: with more than 10.000 square meters of show area the MUMA is the largest museum about the sea in the Mediterranean region. The reflecting, modern glassiness of the building architecture suggests clear, pure water transparence to the visitor mind. [10]
- Palazzo del Principe Doria, Piazza del Principe, 4: Built in sec. XVI for the famous Andrea Doria, Admiral of the emperor Charles V, the palace is practically the only royal palace of Genoa, which was for long time a Republic. [11]
City Tour
- 'Open-deck Bus City Tour': Genoa city tour by open-deck bus, commentary in six languages, prices and route available at Iviaggideipescirossi. For bookings and information contact Agenzia Pesci Viaggi: Telephone: +39 010 2759318 - 3346032550 Fax: +39 0102531758 E-mail: pesciros@tin.it
- “Pippo” Train City Tour: From April to October: Monday trough Friday (except Wednesdays) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; departures every hour for a 40 minutes tour with Italian voice guide. Brief french comments are available from the train engineer when requested. Tours with comments in german or french are available upon reservation (the system doesn’t support more than one language at the time yet). From November to March, only Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (the service is suspended in case of bad weather conditions and on Christmas day).Weekdays only groups upon reservation. Fares: Adults € 6,50 Children (5 to 12 years old) € 3,50 Free of charge for children till the age of 4.
Exploring the outskirts of Genova
- National Park of the Cinque Terre: 18 kilometres of rocky coastline abounding with abundant bays, beaches and deep sea, surrounded by mountains running parrellel to the coast. Terracings cultivated with vineyards and olives, kept under control by old dry stone walls. A naturalistic heritage of great variety. Paths and mule tracks look onto breathtaking views.
Five villages, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Coniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso face onto the sea. A Protected Marine Area and a National Park which protect the absolute uniqueness. In synthesy the “Cinque Terre” has been declared a World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1997. [12]
- Portofino and surroundings: One of the most chic and sought-after tourist resort in Liguria, Portofino is considered by many to be among the most beautiful and picturesque Meditteranean ports. It also has a small protected natural park. Other nearby beaches include Camogli, Chiavari, Lavagna, and Sestri Levante.
Night life and movida
Porto Antico is a very good place to meet and have fun with friends:it’s famous for the discoteques(the”Banano” is one of them).Alternative/punk rockers/reggae or techno-electronic lovers can count on the”centri sociali”,self-organized groups of people interested in alternative theatre,arts and music and even politically involved(Buridda,Terra di nessuno…)
Also the promenade of Corso Italia (above all in the summer)– which is about two kilometres from the centre and running along the rocky cliffs overhanging the sea – is lined with night clubs (with live music), private beaches, small bars, but above all it is a meeting place.
Famous people
The whole of Italy is reflected in Genoa, traditionally defined as the home of saints, seafarers, fathers, poets, artists, innovators and patrons! From Christopher Columbus, who made the most popular "mistake" in seafaring history, up to architect Renzo Piano, designer of the large-scale renewal project which involved the Old Port area, and not only that, at the end of the 20th century... then there are the "Fathers" of the Risorgimento, such as Giuseppe Mazzini; famed Saints, liberal noblemen; prominent creative people; music virtuosos (Niccolò Paganini, just to name one of many); a "Genoese school" of singer-songwriters (Fabrizio De Andrè, for example). And, of course, other great explorers, both by land and sea, who came before and after the famous Genoese voyager to whom the city’s airport is dedicated.
Eating
An original speciality of Liguria cooking is its famous and tasty focaccia, which can be plain with only olive oil or in other savoury versions (with onions, with olives, with sage, with cheese etc...)
Stuffed pasta like the traditional ravioli and the typical pansotti (pasta stuffed with chards, eggs and ricotta cheese); corzetti of Val d’Aveto, a kind of round lasagne of puff pastry; the vegetable pies like torta Pasqualina that is made up of puff pastry stuffed with cooked chards or artichokes, courgettes, springtime herbs, eggs and cheese; the ciausun of Baiardo, a vegetable pie baked in a wood-burning oven cima that is made up by a narrow "case" of veal meat stuffed with minced offal, soft bread soaked in broth, spring vegetables, grated cheese, chopped mortadella and eggs; stuffed (or fried) courgettes flowers.
Among the so many gourmet specialities there are: the vegetable soup Genoa style, farinata, a narrow focaccia made out of chickpea flour melt with water, salt and olive oil and baked in a wood-burning oven; panissa; tomaxelle; stuffed vegetables. Obviously there are many seafood specialities with seafood soups, fried fish and other delicacies such as ciuppin, buridda, capponada and monkfish soup or "buddego soup". With cod - dried and later softened - people make the famous stockfish Genoa style, a dish with many versions. Among the qualities of fried fish best is the local fish: red mullets, bogues, calamari, squids, anchovies, sardines all are well deep fried in olive oil. Dried salt cod is best when crisp fried in croquettes.
The most famous desserts are: pandolce natalizio genovese (a Christmas pudding) , that is a thin panettone with sultanas and lemon rind; frisceu (apple fritters), castagnaccio, a cake made with chestnut flour, "quaresimali"; currant bread and cake bread ("biscotti del lagaccio"); canestrelli; amaretti (deriving from Piedmont tradition); and the famous candied fruit and flowers (rose petals and violets).
Information desks
For tourist information the following contacts are also available, which refer to the information desks located at Cristoforo Colombo Airport and Genova Principe Railway Station.
Airport Information Desk tel. +39 010 6015247 email: genovaturismoaeroporto@comune.genova.it Mon-Sun h.09.00-13.00 13.30- 17.30
Genova Principe Railway Station Information Desk tel. +39 010 2462633 e-mail: genovaturismoprincipe@comune.genova.it Mon-Sun h.09.00-13.00 14.30- 18.30
General useful information
The official currency is the Euro.
Automatic exchange machines are located at the airport and at most important banks.
Credit cards are generally accepted in shops and restaurants.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday until 1.00/1.30 pm with flexible opening hours in the afternoon.
Day-light saving time starts in spring (end of March), when clocks are set one hour ahead, and they are set one hour back to standard time in autumn (end of September).
Electricity supply is supplied at 220 volts. The sockets are for plugs with two or three round pins in a row.
Telephones The international code number from abroad is +39 followed by the number code of the person you are calling, comprehensive of the “zero” of region. The mobile phone network covers the whole country.
Closing Days On Monday most Museums, some attractions in the Old Port, the majority of restaurants and hair salons are closed. Shops and large stores are closed only on Monday mornings. Food shops are closed on Wednesday afternoons, except for supermarkets. Laundry/dry cleaner’s shops are closed on Saturday.
Shops’ Opening Times Many shops still close from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm, however, in the city centre many of them and all large stores stay open all-day.
Post Offices The "Genova Centro" (city centre post office), in via Dante 4B/r, is open every day from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm, on Saturday from 8.00 am to 1.30 pm and is closed on Sunday. To find out about opening times and addresses of the other post offices visit the official site of the Italian post office Poste Italiane
EMERGENCY AND HEALTH SERVICES
The health emergency number is 118
Public emergency medical service
Tel. +39 010 354022
Private emergency medical service
Tel. +39 010 363636
P.A. Croce Bianca Genovese Ambulance Service
Piazza Palermo, 25/R 16129 Genoa (GE) Tel. +39 010 363636
Also providing veterinary first-aid.
Hospitals
Ospedali Galliera
Via Volta Alessandro 8
Tel. 010 56321
Istituto Giannina Gaslini – Ospedale Pediatrico Largo Gaslini Gerolamo 5 Tel. 010 381434
Ospedali Civili Di Genova - S. Martino Viale Benedetto XV 10 Tel. 010 352859
Ospedale Evangelico Internazionale Salita Superiore Di S. Rocchino 31/A Tel. 010 8461449
Azienda Ospedaliera Villa Scassi Ospedale Civile Sampierdarena Corso Scassi Onofrio 1 Tel. 010 41021
All-night Chemist’s
Farmacia Pescetto
via Balbi 185r ((only few metres away from Genova Principe Railway Station) )
Tel. 010 261609
Farmacia Europa Corso Europa 676 Tel. 010 380293
Farmacia Ghersi Corte Lambruschini 16 Tel. 010 541661
Poisons Centre at Ospedale San Martino – Genoa Tel. +39 010 352808
Veterinary Emergencies
Centro Veterinario Genovese
Via C. Barabino 102/R/CANC
Tel. +39 010 5955028
For emergencies: Mob. +39 347 3356222 – Holiday Service 10-12/16-19
OTHER EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Carabinieri
Tel. 112 (emergency number from Italy)
State Police
Tel. 113 (emergency number from Italy)
Child Emergency
Tel. 114 (emergency number from Italy)
Fire Brigade
Tel. 115 (emergency number from Italy)
Customs/Financial/Border Police
Tel. 117 (emergency number from Italy)
Forest Rangers
Tel. 1515 (emergency number from Italy)
Municipal Police Headquarters
Via Di Francia, 1 - Tel. +39 010 5570
Sea rescue
Tel. +39 010 2415237
External websites
Official website of SISM Genova[13]
www.comune.genova.it [14]
www.wikipedia.org [15]