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Donnerstag, März 5, 2026
Genua, Italien – Porto Antico, Piazza Caricamento & Piazza De Ferrari
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The Unexploded Bomb of San Lorenzo Cathedral

Visit San Lorenzo Cathedral to see the British shell that smashed through the roof in 1941 but failed to explode.

9/20/2025
7 min read
The striped marble facade of San Lorenzo Cathedral

On February 9, 1941, the British fleet bombarded Genoa (Operation Grog). A 381mm armor-piercing shell was fired at the city.

The Impact

The shell smashed through the roof of the San Lorenzo Cathedral while it was full of people. It hit the floor... and didn't explode.

The Replica

Today, right at the beginning of the right nave, you can touch an exact replica of that shell (the original was disposed of at sea).

  • Inscription: "This bomb, launched by the English fleet... burst through the walls of this temple... and fell unexploded here through the intercession of Mary."

It is a chilling reminder of the war and a beloved symbol of divine protection for the locals.

Über den Autor

War Historian

War Historian

Wir sind leidenschaftlich für Italiens unterschätzte Städte. Dieser Guide hilft Besuchern, die Geheimnisse von Genua zu lüften und seine vertikale Landschaft mit Leichtigkeit und Komfort zu navigieren.

Tags

WWII
Miracle
Cathedral
San Lorenzo

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