The Station
Genova Brignole is the second railway station of the Ligurian capital. The volume and type of traffic, with an average of 60,000 daily transits and 22 million users per year, make it a typical "transit" station.
It is an important interchange hub: it handles 315 trains every day and 130 connections with the Genova Piazza Principe station.
History
The railway network reached Genoa in 1854, by the will of the Savoy State, which built the city's first passenger station near the port: Genova Principe. The intense development of merchant traffic and the general activity of the early 20th century soon led to the idea of expanding the network towards the eastern Ligurian coast, in anticipation of a coastal connection with Tuscany and Central Italy.
The 1905 World's Fair was decisive in the decision to build a second transit station for the city: the 1902 project, drawn up by engineer Giovanni Ottino, planned a passenger building that was 105 meters long and divided into three vertical sections along a central axis of symmetry.
The building was completed in 1905. Its architecture reflects romantic motifs from the "renaissance" school of French design, enriched with extensive decorative elements. The pilasters, jambs, and cornices up to the first floor are made of white granite.
The Roman-style facade, facing Piazza Verdi, is decorated with stucco and stones from the Montorfano quarries; the walls of the internal rooms are adorned with valuable frescoes by De Servi, Berroggio, and Grife.
Originally, the space in front of the station was a wide semicircular square, completely free of obstructions. However, today, the passenger building is limited by a very small pedestrian area, connected to the street level by a short staircase. The vehicle traffic lane and the taxi area significantly restrict pedestrian flows, effectively preventing access and temporary stops for private vehicles or line buses.
Redevelopment
The redevelopment project at Genova Brignole station focused on restoring and repurposing the historic architecture, improving functional layouts, and optimizing the range of services for both travelers and the local community.
Passenger flows have been streamlined by overhauling and realigning the underpasses, which were fully refurbished—including upgraded lighting—to ensure smoother connections to and from the metro.
All travel-related facilities were completely reconfigured to meet high quality standards.
A modern CCTV system and SOS call points have also been installed, enhancing station security and making all areas fully accessible to passengers and residents alike.
Finally, the station’s parking facilities were upgraded and modernized; they now accommodate up to 78 cars.
Lay-out
The station is organized across several buildings and multiple levels:
The underground floor, which houses the heating plant, warehouses, and cellars that serve the restaurant and the accommodations.
The street level, which contains the passenger building, ticket office, commercial activities, and FS offices.
The raised floor, which is home to the tracks and features dining facilities, seating areas for waiting passengers, offices, and FS rooms.
The upper floors, which are used for FS offices and accommodations.
Security
At Genova Brignole station, a control room operates to ensure continuous monitoring of the station through surveillance services and the supervision of security systems.
Additionally, a security service is in place to monitor the areas, detect and report non-compliances, and manage security interventions. Furthermore, it is responsible for emergency management, along with maintenance personnel, for first response and support to external rescuers.
To support and optimize human resources, security systems are in place. These include:
Video surveillance and digital video recording systems;
Access control and anti-intrusion systems;
Fire detection systems.
This system is closely coordinated with the Railway Police to ensure the immediate escalation of critical situations.
Station Services
- Ticket Office
- Luggage Deposit
- Information and Assistance
- Parking
- Railway Police
- Sala Blu - Assistance
- Restrooms
- Shopping
- Post Office