Where Water Meets Soul: A Photographer’s Journey Through Genoa’s Reborn Marine Sanctuary
By Carlo Raciti
Water has never been a passive background to my life; it is my original compass. Born along the ancient banks of the Nile, the longest river on Earth, and having lived surrounded by the sea in both Italy and Greece, my relationship with the liquid element is deep and instinctual. As a photographer, my lens naturally gravitates toward the horizon. I first stepped onto a sailboat four decades ago, and while sailing is something I pursue whenever my schedule allows, it holds a special place in my heart. For five years up until three years ago, I was active with racing crews, competing on weekends and joining week-long regattas several times a year. That deep familiarity with the wind, the sea, and light makes every journey across water a deeply personal exploration of landscapes, cultures, and traditions.
Returning to Genoa is always a pilgrimage. This is the city of legendary navigators and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, carrying centuries of maritime history in its stones and salt air. My first visit to the Genoa International Boat Show dates back to the mid-1980s. Standing here now at the 66th Genoa International Boat Show, a landmark event founded in 1962, the transformation of the venue is astonishing. Spanning over 200,000 square meters between land and sea, it has evolved into the central showcase of Mediterranean yachting and Made in Italy excellence. The atmosphere this year was electric, drawing over 138,000 visitors in six days, an 11.2% increase compared to last year. Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a surprise visit, emphasizing the event as a vital driver of economic growth and employment.
Two Days Among Hulls and Horizons
Even across two full days, camera in hand, I could only capture a fraction of what I wanted to see among the 1,000 vessels moored across the renovated Waterfront di Levante.
Walking along Quay H in the Living Made in Italy area, the scale of craftsmanship was striking.
One of those two standout vessels was the ICONA 70 Motor Yacht Inspired by Mangusta. Despite being the smallest motor yacht I toured, nearly half the length of the mega yachts its master bedroom was nothing short of extraordinary. The ICONA 70 blends raw power with refined, futuristic lines across its entire hull and interior spaces.
Another highlight was the Sanlorenzo SHE, a heritage model that reinterprets the classic 1960s navetta through a modern design lens, bridging past and present seamlessly.
For someone who loves the sheer purity of wind-driven craft, stepping aboard the breathtaking Grand Soleil Plus 80 LC was a standout moment. Its clean lines and performance-oriented design represent the pinnacle of modern sailing yacht architecture.
During the walk-throughs onboard flagship superyachts like the Mangusta 165 REV, the Azimut Grande 44M, and the Amer 42 Custom Explorer, among others, time was sometimes extremely tight as many visitors were waiting to tour these vessels. As a photographer shooting hand-held with professional equipment inside these yachts and capturing dim spaces in just seconds, navigating around groups of seven or more people was a technical challenge.
My disappointment in not being allowed to photograph certain private quarters, especially the master bedrooms and staterooms, is not out of personal frustration, but because I genuinely wanted to share the extraordinary beauty of these spaces with those who follow my work. This was particularly regretful for two yachts in particular whose cabins were absolute masterpieces. Given the rapid pace of the tours and the strict photography bans, retaining every detail in human memory without visual references is nearly impossible.
Moments with Designers and Legends
Beyond photographing the yachts, I had the chance to accompany a small group of international journalists during several insightful media roundtables. Listening to Dan Lenard, co-founder of Nuvolari Lenard, offer his thoughts on contemporary yacht design was a fascinating experience, revealing how much artistic philosophy goes into modern naval lines. Similarly, sitting in on the exchange with architect Paolo Brescia, co-founder of OBR and President of the Design Innovation Award jury, provided valuable context on the Waterfront di Levante redevelopment project designed alongside Renzo Piano.
We also attended a session featuring Gianluigi Ugolini from Luna Rossa, who shared compelling insights into the high-stakes world of the America's Cup.
Evenings along the Gulf
Our base for the event was the historic Belle Époque Hotel Bristol Palace in the center of Genoa. After long days on the docks, the evenings offered time to unwind. Dinner on the waterfront at Mar Bistrot was followed by the "Lights over the Sea" party on the terrace of the Blue Pavilion. The trip concluded with the 7th Design Innovation Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner, celebrating the best in marine design and innovation.
Genoa continues to demonstrate that its identity as a maritime powerhouse is as alive today as it was centuries ago, continually reshaping how we experience the sea.
