To cope with the health emergency the museum will be closed to the public from 5th November 2020Â until further notice.
The House of Columbus
The building is on two floors; the façade was restored during the 17th century. The ground floor was used as a workshop by Columbus’s father, who dealt in wool weaving and trade. Recent excavations carried out during the restoration of the house, have brought to light the ancient foundations of a construction dating back to the early Middle Ages, probably the 6th century.
The Porta Soprana gate
In 1155, the Genoese feared an attack by Frederick Barbarossa. Therefore, they hurried to create a circuit of walls enclosing the majority of the city. The main entrance on the east side was formed by the Porta Soprana – also called Gate of St. Andrew due to the convent nearby –, while the twin Porta dei Vacca was the gate westwards. The two towers framing the access to the Porta Soprana still today bear two gravestones in Latin commemorating the event.
The visit is allowed for 2 persons at a time, wearing face mask and after undergoing body temperature screening.