Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea

"Soaring amidst the vibrant streets of Genoa's historic center, the Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea (Church of Jesus and Saints Ambrose and Andrew) stands as a resplendent testament to the city's rich artistic heritage and enduring faith. This Baroque masterpiece, adorned with lavish decorations and intricate sculptures, offers an awe-inspiring blend of architectural grandeur and spiritual serenity. The church's origins can be traced back to the 6th century, when a primitive church dedicated to Saint Ambrose was built on the site. Over the centuries, the church underwent numerous transformations, reflecting the evolving architectural styles and religious fervor of the time. In the 16th century, the church was entrusted to the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Inspired by the Counter-Reformation movement, the Jesuits embarked on an ambitious project to rebuild the church, transforming it into a dazzling showcase of Baroque artistry. The Church of Jesus and Saints Ambrose and Andrea stands as a prime example of Baroque architecture, characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, its exuberant ornamentation, and its overall sense of grandeur. The church's facade, designed by the renowned architect Giuseppe Valeriano, is a captivating spectacle. Its three tiers, adorned with statues and intricate carvings, culminate in a soaring dome that dominates the skyline. Stepping into the church's interior is akin to entering a realm of opulence and artistry. The nave, awash in golden light streaming through the high windows, is lined with a series of chapels, each adorned with elaborate marble sculptures, frescoes, and paintings."

"This church is of very ancient origin, being mentioned as early as the 7th century. It's FREE to enter and worth it. It was indeed known as the 'church of the Milanesi', as the church was originally dedicated to Ambrogio, bishop of Milan, who fled to Genoa to escape the sack of the city by the Lombard king Alboino. The basilica was then entirely rebuilt by the Jesuits at the end of the 16th century. It was originally designed by the Jesuit architect and painter Giuseppe Valeriano, who also designed the Gesù Nuovo church in Naples. The present façade, clad in Finale stone and marble, dates back to 1894, while the bell tower is from the early 20th century. The church's interior is entirely decorated with prestigious polychrome marble and it is a valuable example of Genoese Baroque. The vaults were frescoed by the Carlone brothers during the 17th century, and in the same period, noble Genoese families commissioned altar pieces to great European artists. On the main altar is the Circumcision by Pieter Paul Rubens (1605), which will have a great influence on local painters for its use of light and a new idea of movement. The left aisle hosts the altarpiece of Saint Ignatius Healing an Obsessive Woman, also by Rubens, while the right aisle hosts the Assumption by Guido Reni. Not to be missed are also paintings and frescoes by many prominent painters of the Genoese school and others. These include Domenico Piola, Domenico Fiasella, Valerio and Bernardo Castello, Giovanni Andrea and Lorenzo De Ferrari, Domenico Scorticone, Andrea Pozzo and Simon Vouet among others."