the name of christofer columbus, the explorer of the new world, is in evidence all over genoa.
his statue greets you as soon as you emerge in piazza acquaverde from porta principe railway station; various public buildings bear his name; even the airport is called aeroporto cristoforo colombo.
in the 17th century palazzo belinbau, built on top of the old city walls, is a series of frescoes by the genoese artist tavarone celebrating the explore's life and you can see three of his letters in the sala del sindaco in palazzo tursi (the city hall) on via garibaldi.
it is not certain whether columbus (1451-1506) was born in genoa, in savona 15 km. to the west or outside italy altogether.
however, city registers mention his father, a weaver, and different family hames within the city.
the small ivyclad house next to the porta soprana may have been columbus's childhood home, where he first discovered his passion for the sea.