The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-11-18
A BEAUTIFUL CITY.
Description Of Genoa, One of
Italy's Historic Centers.
Roth Military and Commercial Power
"A Novel Way of Obtaining Light,
Air and Cheerfulness-A
Grand Cemetery. ry 81

tIe0Od lS OUe VI tuC ihooU AhoCt OoeiAS
cities in Europe. 1t is almost inclosedJ
on three sides by high hills or mount
aims. and fronts on the Mediterranean.
Its topography reminds me strongly of
that of Cincinnati. 1t is an old city,
dating back to the days of the Caesars.
Its history for the last Thousand years
is nothing but revolution, fighting for
commercial supremacy with Venice
and Pisa, and that was bone Of con-
tention over which neighboring powers
have constantly quarreled as to who
shall pick it. Genoa can show record
in the distant pastsofs as many revolu-
tons per square yard as can even our
sister republic, Mexico. Its great mill
itary character, that is one who is to
Genoa as Washington and Grant are to
America, and Wellington to England,
is Andrea Doria, in whose honor sal i'm
mense statue has been erected. located
in front of the Deria palace. on top of
a hill, where it can be seen far and
wide. At one period somewhere in the
thirteenth or fourteenth century, Genoa
was the chief commercial city, perhaps
of the then known world, and had col
onies established on some of the
islands in the eastern Mediterrane an
Sea. Finally Venice became a great
commercial emporium and disputed su-.
premacy with Genoa, resulting in sseyr
eral wars and the eventual defeat of
Genoa. During the height of the opu-
fence of Genoa, she produced e large
brood of what we would call in Ameri-
ca merchant princes, who were the
progenitors of the present ''illustrious"
aristocracyI of tnat city, all graced
with high-soundfng italian names,
such as the Spinela family. Grimaldi
family, Fiescha family, Doria family,
Espeldina family, Redinaldi family. etc.
In the morning after our arrival we
were furnished with a guide and we put
in good days work at sightseeing.
As we drove through the principal
street, we noticed popularity adopted,
which is really worthy of imitation, to
enable the handsome business blocks
to have light and ventilation from their
four sides as well as from the courts in
the center, and which added to the
beauty of the street as we'll as the build
ings themselves. A block of five or six
stories in height is built. about one
hundred feet square, with stores rum
ming clear through. In the scenter
above the stores is a court, into which
open the rooms surrounding it. The
hoor OF this court, situated over the
stores, is covered with soil on which
small trees and plants are planted. 1t
can be seen that the view from the
windows is thus made pleasant. The
The upper part of the building, that is
above the stores, is occupied by
families who live in suites of rooms,
which are lighted and ventilated from
the outside on the four sides as well as
rom the court. In order ito get this
light and ventilation from all sides, the
next building is only one story high
and about fifty feet wide, and is covered
with small trees, plants and flowers,
which are seen from the street. The
next building after the one-story affair
s SIX stories high, with court in the
center. etc. In this way the apart
ment houses are thoroughly lighted
ana ventilated, and the eye rests on
movers and plants while looking out OF
Me windows. Whole streets are built
up IN this manner, every other building
oeing only one story high. The tall
buildings are very handsome and archi-
.seturally ornamented on all sides,
mus giving row of such buildings a
verypleasing effect. These buildings
are modern. In the old part of the city
are seen the palaces of the former
merchant princess of Genoa, when for
Ilme she was the principal commercial
clty OF the Mediterranean. These
palaces are several hundred years old,
oailt with considerable architectural
pIetension. The streets on which
saese palaces are situated. are very mar
TOW, and she palaces depend Aon their
suarts ss.:ts Tor most of their light and venti-
auon, The front windows are all pro-
;.e ;.c.ed oy heavy iron gratings, pro-
.ss.lng g outwardly about a foot, to
~ aaoie q view up and down the street
d. - ue obtained. 1t is difficult to realize
cossese aSs 1nese palaces were standing before
Ws.umpus NUN was born and when the New
o1iu was unknown to fame.''
1ul drive around Genoa was exceed
interesting. The docks presented
ho;,dy h;,y curious appearance. The old
Asuss with walls five feet thick.