Christopher Columbus is said to have come from here. You will encounter mentions of him at every turn — Genoa has a house where he is believed to have been born (though this fact is unproven), a monument to Columbus, and a large part of the maritime museum's exhibition is dedicated to his discoveries. Many hotels and restaurants in Genoa are named after the great explorer.
For believers, the Genoa Cathedral will be of interest, as it houses the relics of John the Baptist, brought here by merchants in 1098. However, you won't be able to touch them, as the sarcophagus is inside the chapel's altar.
Be sure to take a walk around Genoa's main square — Piazza di Ferrari. At its center is a fountain, surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the Palazzo della Borsa (the stock exchange building). The Teatro Carlo Felice, where you can listen to opera, is also located here.
Porto Antico (the Old Port) is also attractive to tourists. Nearby, you'll find two landmarks — the Aquarium (the second largest in Europe) and the galleon "Neptune," a replica of a 17th-century Spanish ship created for Roman Polanski's film "Pirates." The ship later appeared in the American TV series "Neverland."
