Don’t be fooled by its 19th century façade, for the church of Saint Ambrose and Saint Andrew, commonly known in Genoa as the Chiesa del Gesù, houses one of the finest collections of religious art in town, in a spectacular Baroque setting. Originally a 6th century refuge for Milanese clergy and named after their Bishop-Saint, Ambrose, it then passed to the Jesuits in 1552 and reached its present proportions in 1589. The façade was rebuilt, following designs by Rubens, in the late 19th century when it finally acquired its full name. Inside its coloured marble stuccoes and frescoes, normally noteworthy in themselves, tend to fade into the background alongside the artwork decorating the altar, the side chapels and the central dome. In particular, admire work by Rubens and Guido Reni. You’ll also see paintings and frescoes by Genoese masters: Carlone Piola, Fiasella, Pozzo and the Parisian Simon Vouet. who were drafted in to help decorate. Sunday Mass at 08:30, 10:00, 11:00 not August), 12:00 and 19:00
