My Town, My Team – Genoa: A Local’s Guide to a Calcio Trailblazer

Tomas Giacomelli from Genoa is a 25-year-old computer science graduate working in renewable energy. He is also a lifelong Genoa fan. For the latest edition of our My Town, My Team series, he talked about what makes his home so special – the deep connection with club and stadium, the food from the area, and much, much more.

Why Genoa CFC?

Being a Genoa supporter is not a choice; it is a faith and an innate love that runs in the blood of every Genoese even before they are born. Genoa is a way of being, passed down through generations, and it has never been tied to sporting results – as opposed to our cousins (Sampdoria) – but rather to the respect for our history and for our city.

The red and blue, the Griffin, and the cross of Saint George have been symbols and pride of Genoa for centuries. This last one was loaned to the English when, in medieval times we dominated the seas, and they made it their flag.

In return, hundreds of years later, they introduced us to football when, as one of our mottos says, ‘Others only realised they had feet when they hurt’. Thanks to them we are the history of football and the oldest club in Italy.

It matters little if we haven’t had the success we deserve in 100 years. The myth of the Stella (Italian teams receive a star after 10 titles – Genoa’s ninth and last came in 1923-24) is alive and passed down through every generation, even knowing that perhaps that day will never come. But that’s the beauty of it.

This was the dream of my great grandfather Giuseppe, my grandfather Aldo and my father Marco.

This romanticism was passed to me before I was even born. I was named Tomas, just like the Czech player in the 1990s who ignited this fire in every Genoa fan, bringing us to Europe with his somersault celebrations after scoring: Tomas Skuhravy.

I am proud of this, even though the name is unusual in Italy. It is beautiful. It is Genoano.

Tell us about the stadium

The Luigi Ferraris, ‘O campo do Zena’ – literally the field of Genoa – has also been our pride since the beginning. It is named after one of our great players who died in World War I. His medal of valour is buried under the goal of the Gradinata Nord, our home.

In that stand facing our city our people have always given lessons in support to all of Italy, to the point that Genoa retired the number 12 shirt, representing our fanbase as the 12th man on the field.

Getting access to Gradinata Nord is almost impossible. Season tickets are passed down from father to son, and everyone holds on to theirs dearly. I have had the honour of watching every match there since I was three years old, when my father took me there for the first time for a chaotic match against Napoli. We drew 3-3.

During the celebrations, my father had me on his shoulders and jumped, causing me to hit my head against a beam. From that bump on, the Gradinata Nord has been my home.

What about Genoa the city?

Genoa is probably the most underrated city in Italy. A metropolis of 600,000 inhabitants, a long strip of land washed by the Ligurian Sea and embraced by mountains, where in 15 minutes on a scooter you can reach anything you desire.

It is the city where the first bank in the world was born, where Christopher Columbus was born and set sail for the Americas, and where Garibaldi departed to unite Italy in 1861. Its landscape, artistic, architectural and culinary heritage is immense.

We have the largest aquarium in Italy, the oldest lighthouse still in operation and the largest historic centre in Europe with its Caruggi (alleys) and Rolli (palaces of the medieval Genoese nobility, now a UNESCO World Heritage site).

For a one-day visit, the Historic Centre, Spianata Castelletto, and the Porto Antico (where you will also find the Genoa museum) are definitely the best options. But if you have more time and want to discover the true essence of Genoa, my advice is to rent a scooter and go up to the Bricchi, – the hills overlooking the city where military forts once defended the territory, visit Boccadasse or take a ride along the Riviera.

How has Genoa changed over the years?

In recent years Genoa has undergone strong redevelopment of its territory and structures. Alongside new projects (such as the Waterfront), the city has also been enhanced through social media channels, including the Genoa football club’s page, which, with its content, collaborations, and commemorative jerseys – like the one in honor of our Boca Juniors brothers last year or the current second kit celebrating the bond with England – is making a notable contribution.

Genoa is a jewel of our country that will amaze every tourist who visits it, and it is nice that after many years of anonymity it is finally being widely discovered abroad.

Tell us about the food

Genoa is the homeland of pesto, focaccia and farinata. If you walk through the alleys you will find many historic bakeries where you can taste these and other variations.

In the evening, look for a good osteria or trattoria where you can try pansoti al sugo di noci (a pasta filled with walnut sauce), tripe, and the house seafood specialities. At the end of the meal, try the Camatti, a typical Genoese digestive liqueur, named best herbal bitter in the world.

And what about the people?

Genoese people are practical, down-to-earth, hardworking, and very attached to their city. They may seem a bit reserved at first, but just a few words are enough to build rapport, especially when the summer air begins to fill the city with colours and people and happiness.

With this in mind, the best time to visit Genoa is early summer, when the days are long, and the climate is perfect for exploring the city and for spending time at the beach until sunset, with a pizza and a beer between the red of the sky and the blue of the sea.