Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato Tours and Activities

The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato was begun in the 16th century, but most of the work on the interior was done roughly 100 years later – which explains the profusion of Baroque decoration inside.

The facade of the church is its newest feature, dating from the mid-1800s. The clean white exterior gives no indication of the explosion of color and ornamentation you'll find when you walk inside. When the interior of the basilica was being completed in the 17th century, the top Baroque studios were employed to do the job – and it looks the part.

It's the ceiling and dome that may leave you breathless – everywhere you look is gold, with enormous frescoes stretched across the arch of the nave's ceiling. The artist responsible for much of the dome is also the one who was overseeing the entire interior project. So although there were multiple artists and studios at work, the interior still looks well-planned.