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WHY

To approach our goal we have thought to our many colleagues of different cities or states. What to offer, and what to share other than the love for motorcycles and work. Again it was our mother Genoa that came in aid with its beauties. What to disclose to the eye of a foreigner? Let's start with our symbol, LA LANTERNA. The lighthouse meant to reveal a secure dock to those courageous brothers of us who sealed to trade with farthest people. The lighthouse has remained; loved by us and envied by many, secure benchmark for those who come back, even if just for a two-wheel trip. If we keep on with the harbour area, mainly used for passengers’ traffic, we reach an area known as EXPO. Here, from 15thMay to 15thAugust 1992, with the presence of 54 countries, it was held the 500th anniversary of Cristoforo Colombo's discovery of America. For this occasion the Harbour area was restored and many a thing were built such as LA NAVE ITALIA, this 'ship' has a metallic hull connected to he Aquarium set up according to the many displays which take place. A little bit further there is L'ISOLA

GALLEGGIANTE made of some old pontoons and hulls without motor, for tourists to sit and rest on the sea. On a side there is the BIOSFERA a plastic balloon which hosts within its little micro-ecosystem many butterflies and ferns. By the lift there is the most ancient hydraulic crane, IL BIGO. It's a futuristic lift designed as an onboard crane linked to a big rotating lift to enjoy a panoramic view from aloft. It is surrounded by LE VELE a modern revisited edition of the illuminating system used in the narrow historical lanes where big white sheets were hung among buildings to collect the few sun rays shining inside and give out light.

Near the BIGO it has been created a structure, which hosts an ice rink. Positioned in front of the docks the ancient buildings named MAGAZZINI DEL COTONE, after their use, were once used to gather and keep cotton bales. Nowadays they have been redecorated and assigned to many recreational activities.Nowadays they have been redecorated and assigned to many recreational activities. If we exit the expo area we reach PALAZZO S. GIORGIO, main office of the harbour. It is an historical building, which shows on its front a wall painting portraying S. Giorgio, once patron saint of the city. Behind the building it is possible to catch S. LORENZO road which leads directly to the Cathedral named after the Saint. Insaide the Cathedral it's possible to have a look at a big unexploded bomb shot by an English battleship during The Second World War, which hitting the roof, fell down among the observants gathered into the Cathedral. It is also possible to visit a famous treasure made up of many golden gems and jewels.

If we keep on following S. Lorenzo road we reach PIAZZA MATTEOTTI where there's a big monumental entrance of the PALAZZO DUCALE. This noble Palace, once residence of the Doge, has been finely restored to its former beauty where it is possible to have a look at the many wall paintings inside the Doge's apartment and to LA SALA DEL MAGGIOR CONSIGLIO and to LA SALA DEL MINOR CONSIGLIO.

Exiting from the other access on Piazza De Ferrari it is possible to reach this big circle square which symbolically represents the heart of the town.On the right VENTI SETTEMBRE road leading to Brignole Railway Station and on the left the CARLO FELICE THEATRE with its colonnade.

It has been restored to maintain it original lines even though mixed with architectural modern ones. The inside reflects the tradition of Liguria with the use of slate to decorate the lateral boxes recalling old Genoese balconies.

VIA ROMA, where the main fashionable boutiques are, develops from here to Piazza Corvetto, from where turning left, passing the gallery and turning left again, we reach PIAZZA FONTANE MAROSE. Here it starts the famous VIA GARIBALDI with its buildings. Once known as VIA AUREA (Golden Road), in this magnificent road one after the other stand all the buildings of the most important and noble families of Genoa. Nowadays these buildings are bank offices, museums and communal buildings. At n° 9 is PALAZZO TURSI, the Town Hall, preceded by PALAZZO BIANCO and in front of it PALAZZO ROSSO which are the most famous museums in town with their collection of paintings.

A new modern building, back to the original one, has been added to palazzo Tursi to host the many communal offices. In the original building there is a big hall used for the town meetings, where it's kept Il Gonfalone (the Gonfalon is a flag adopted by Italian medieval Communes designed with a badge or coat of arms, ornamented with a fancy design) granted the medal of honour for civil merit, another hall is used for civil marriages and in a near one there’s the “Cannone” of Paganini. The “Cannon” has been created in 1743 in Cremona by the Master of Lute Giuseppe Bartolomeo Guarnieri, known as Gesù, kept in a reliquary that protects it from deterioration. Passing the Quattro Canti di San Francesco Lane, we go along via Cairoli where, at its end, it is possible to take the RIGHI FUNICOLAR RAILWAY, which leads to an esplanade from which it is possible to have an open view overlooking the town and, if the weather is good, the Corse coasts.

This esplanade is just above Palazzo Tursi affording a good view of the historical city centre.

The historical city centre where modern meets old, good-bad, Genoese- Saracens, fragrances and flavours of people so different that live together in harmony. The shops, which come one after the other with their coloured goods are still people friendly and not stereotyped in a dreary sequence. It is wonderful to dip into this stream of emotions, to smell the air and taste the flavours and the colours in depth. You'll discover unique spots, an old barbers shop with its original liberty furniture, followed in a few meters by an old grocery shop where Arabian spices and Chinese teas are finely displayed to reach again Piazza Dante where it is possible to visit an ancient chocolate laboratory.

If we climb up a little more we reach PORTA SOPRANA, antique gate of the city walls, near COLOMBO'S HOUSE. Some say that this building is just said to be its house but that really doesn't matter, as it is really fascinating.

At the sides of the town are the two Rivieras, different from one another, but both reach in beauties of the Italian sea. Just a few kilometres to East and you'll be able to climb on the Fasce Mountain from where it is possible to have a breathtaking view of the Eastern Riviera.

To have a similar one of the Western Riviera you'll have to reach the Voltri district and passing the Passo del Turchino reach Passo del Faiallo.

Not only...

We wanted to tell you more and, if Genoa is the queen of Liguria, le CINQUE TERRE are surely her maids. If you leave from the city centre, you have to follow the Aurelia road direction east. Passing Sestri Levante and Passo del Bracco, traditional motorcycles route with its bending up and down sequences which follow each other in this magnificent setting full in maritime pine trees, broom and sea glimpses. Along the coastline are these five villages one after the other clung to the rocky mountain. The first in line is Monterosso al Mare,

then Vernazza, with its terrace cultivation where wine grapes grow and the well-known Sciacchetracche wine is produced in a very limited production.

Next in line are Corneglia and Manarola where a citizen has made an enormous nativity scene on a promontory nearby the village.

This presepio is overlooking the village all year round but is illuminated only at Christmas.

The last one is Riomaggiore

from where it starts a very beautiful footpath called the The Lovers' Pathway, "La Via dell'Amore" for the romantic beauty offered to eye and heart.

How and where

Strictly by motorcycle. On duty or not. With your own motorbike just to see the asphalt passing under your wheels and feel the fascinating atmosphere of this place. On 7^th and 8^th June in Genoa you're all invited, colleagues! The registration will take place on 7^th at an apposite stand in Piazzale Kennedy among the Corp former-age vehicles.

How to reach the place

The most logical alternative is to get off the motorway at Genova Est and then follow via Bobbio, direction south, Piazzale Kennedy is 3 kilometres ahead.

The other way is to get off the motorway at the exit of Genova Ovest and getting into the flyover Aldo Moro that will lead you directly to Piazzale Kennedy overlooking the harbour area.

...and then?

On 7^th June, from 8,30 to 11,30 am, registration will take place. When all gathered we'll leave direction La Spezia, taking the Via Aurelia. Passing Recco, we'll climb up la Ruta overlooking Portofino bay, descending to Santa Margherita over to Rapallo then Chiavari to reach Sestri Levante. From here we'll start our rise of Passo del Bracco where we'll rest in the motorcycles gathering. Here the participants we'll be given a survival pack containing the packed-lunch even though by then lunchtime we'll be passed. The partakers we'll be divided into groups and escorted by colleagues from Genoa. We'll guide you trough Cinque Terre. In the evening we'll come back to Genoa all together to meet in the square fronting the Lighthouse. Escorting by colleagues to the accommodation chosen, free dinner.... even though a suggestion we'll be given according to tastes and budget.

On 8^th June the meeting place we'll by at our S.M.S office, on the first floor of the building where our Corp has its main offices. Here breakfast will be offered at our social coffee bar with cappuccino, fruit-juices, focaccia (normal or with onion) and brioches. Then altogether we'll reach the old harbour area, Expo, along the sea, and then in the pedestrian area of via S. Lorenzo, we'll be given the permission for this special occasion. At 10 am in front of S. Lorenzo cathedral motorcycles will be given blessing, vehicles on duty at first line, and then a ceremony with the Military and Civil Authorities which will reward the various Corps, the farthest partaker, the most numerous group, the oldest motorcycle and the most original one. We'll park our vehicles in Matteotti square, just a few meters away, to get off and visit Palazzo Ducale. At 1150 am we'll leave to parade in the city centre and return at the foot of the lighthouse where at CULMV (Harbour Company) we'll have a typical Genoa lunch (cold cuts from the inland, trenette with pesto sauce, stocaffisso (dehydrated codfish coming from Norway cooked at the Genoa manner with potatoes, olives, pine nuts...) or cima (a sac made of meat stuffed with eggs, peas, cheese, pine nuts, ham,...), fruits, dessert, wine, beer or soft drinks. In the afternoon you'll have to choose between a tour of the Genoa heights reaching Fasce Mountain (in the eastern part of the city) or paying a visit to the aquarium and to the lighthouse, these two of course afoot and then back to the CULMV to shake hands and say goodbye.