The museum building occupies the former Galata, a 16th-century shipyard where galleys were built for the Genoese Republic.
The Nazario Sauro is the first submarine in Italy to be transformed into a museum ship that can be visited while floating in the water.
The 'Memorias' exhibit features original journals and belongings of emigrants who departed Genoa for South America.
The museum houses a reconstruction of a 17th-century galley, built with historical techniques in a specialized shipyard to demonstrate ancient naval engineering.
The facility utilizes advanced multimedia installations, including a virtual reality experience of a shipwreck.
A specialized room is dedicated to the history of the Compass and the evolution of cartography, including rare portolan charts.
Galata Museo del Mare is the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean, housed within a 16th-century shipyard building redesigned by architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra. Its most distinctive feature is the Nazario Sauro (S 518), an Italian Navy submarine moored in the harbor that visitors can board. The museum's exhibitions span several floors, detailing the history of navigation from the age of galleys to modern steamships. Significant sections are dedicated to the history of the Port of Genoa and the intense experience of Italian emigration to the Americas. An immersive 'Storm in the Gallery' simulation recreates the conditions aboard a 19th-century ship at sea. The rooftop terrace provides an elevated perspective over the Porto Antico area. The museum is located at the historical site of the Darsena, where the Republic of Genoa's fleet was once constructed.
The museum's rooftop terrace offers the best vantage point for photographing the historic Darsena and the floating Nazario Sauro submarine.
Prioritize visiting the submarine early, as entry is managed in small, timed batches to accommodate limited space inside the vessel.
Check weather conditions before arriving if you are sensitive to motion or claustrophobia, as the submarine visit requires traversing tight, steep ladders and narrow corridors.
Spend time on the rooftop terrace to get a panoramic view of the harbor and the lighthouse of Genoa, known as 'La Lanterna'.
Do not attempt to visit the submarine if you have limited mobility, as it involves navigating steep, narrow hatches that are not accessible.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season; the submarine may be inaccessible during extreme weather conditions for safety.
Sturdy, flat-soled shoes are required for boarding the submarine; high heels are strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
