Campopisano, a secret spot in the alleys of Genoa

Campopisano is a little gem, a feast of colours, from the yellow and red of the terraced houses overlooking the small square to the blue of the sky that opens unexpectedly to the visitor’s eyes as he emerges from the dense network of Genoese alleys.
We are in the Sestiere del Molo, between Piazza di Sarzano and the sea, and the picturesque beauty of this place contrasts with the melancholy of history to which its name is linked. When Campopisano was given this toponym, it was still an area outside the walls that was also used as a cemetery: it was renamed from ‘Campus Sarzanni’ to Campopisano after the victory of the Republic of Genoa against Pisa in the Battle of Meloria in 1284. The favourable outcome of this battle resulted in the arrival of thousands of Pisan prisoners in the city, who were confined and abandoned to their fate: many did not return home and were buried right here. And there are those who swear that at night, passing through the alleys around, one can still hear the cries of the Pisan prisoners coming from the piazzetta…

The Genoese Risseu

One of the elements that makes Campopisano unique is certainly its paving. In the centre of the square is a depiction of a galley of the Republic of Genoa made of white and grey sea pebbles. This particular mosaic technique is known by the Genoese name ‘risseu’. Risseu adorn the churchyards and gardens of Ligurian aristocratic villas with their decorations, a tradition that dates back to early modern times and has contributed to the fascinating image of Genoa and Liguria as it is today. You can find another splendid example of this typical paving in the gardens of the Palazzo Reale, in Via Balbi in Genoa (here is our complete guide to visiting the palace). The risseu of Campo Pisano was restored in 1992 on the occasion of the Columbus celebrations thanks to the contribution of volunteers.

Visit Campopisano and the Sestiere del Molo

Campopisano is one of the stops on the guided tour “Discovering the Molo” proposed by Dafne Viaggi. This small square generally remains outside the usual tourist circuits, so this tour of about an hour and a half is certainly an interesting opportunity to discover undiscovered corners of the historic centre, accompanied by a local guide. Want to immerse yourself in the history of Genoa’s oldest district? Book your guided tour now with Dafne Viaggi!

Dafne Viaggi

Dafne Viaggi is the tour operator of Cooperativa D.A.F.N.E.. The cooperative’s corporate purpose is “the activity of environmental and sustainability education and promotion for the enhancement of the cultural and environmental heritage of Liguria.”