Interior of the Church of the Annunciation in Genoa, Italy

The Church of the Annunciation, known as the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato in Italian, is a Catholic Cathedral located in Genoa, Liguria, Italy. 

The church was first begun in 1520 by the Franciscan monks on a site where the small church, Santa Maria del Prato, previously stood. Work on the church was stopped in 1537, then in 1591 the construction was continued.

The Cathedral employed the major baroque artists in Genoa in the early 17th century for its amazing decoration, with Andrea Ansaldo in charge of completing the works.


The Neoclassicist facade of the church dates to the early to mid 18th century and was designed by Carlo Barabino. 


During World War II the church was damaged during bombings by the Allied forces, and the restoration of the church continues to this day.

Church of the Annunciation, Genoa, Liguria, Italy by OldeWorldGifts

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Vintage photomechanical print of the interior of the Church of the Annunciation in Genoa, Liguria, Italy, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy of LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-06516). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this incredible vintage photochrom.

Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is located in Berlin and the original church was built in the 1890s. Kaiser Wilhelm II decided to name the church in honour of Kaiser Wilhelm I, his grandfather. The foundation stone was laid on Wilhelm I's birthday, 22 March 1891. 

A competition was held for the design of the church, which was won by Franz Heinrich Schwechten, who was one of the most famous German architects of his time. He prepared a design of a church with a 113 meter-high tower, retaining late Romanesque style elements.


The church was consecrated on 1 September 1895. At this time, the entrance hall in the lower section had not been completed. This was opened and consecrated on 22 February 1906. During the Second World War, on the night of 23 November 1943, the church was irreparably damaged in an air raid, with only part of the spire and the entrance hall surviving.

The new church with a foyer and a separate belfry with an attached chapel, was built between 1959 and 1963. The damaged spire of the old church has been retained and its ground floor has been made into a memorial hall.

Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church by OldeWorldGifts Vintage photomechanical print of Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, Germany, which was taken at the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsca-00341). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this beautiful old church.