A White House Millennium Project

The Columbus House is located in downtown Genoa, Vico Dritto di Ponticello,  just off the Porta Soprana Medieval Gates and within walking distance from Piazza De Ferrari, Via Dante, and Via XX Settembre.

The House is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays (9:00 –12:00/14:00-18:00), on special occasions, such as Columbus Day, or by appointment by calling the Associazione Culturale Genovese Porta Soprana (tel. 39 010 2465346, tel/fax 39 010 2465346, a volunteer association which organizes visits to the Columbus House and to other historical sites such as the Porta Soprana Medieval Towers and the Lanterna (Lighthouse, symbol of Genoa).

On Columbus Day it has become a tradition for the American Community in Genoa to join the local authorities for a commemorative ceremony at the Columbus House. The placing of a wreath at the House is followed by a reception in the “Salone del Maggior Consiglio” of Palazzo Ducale to honor Columbus with readings by prominent actors of parts of his diary and the awarding of prizes by the Institute of International Communications to prominent Italian and international personalities. On the same occasion, the winner of the Paganini International Violin Competition plays Paganini’s violin, the “Cannone.” The Mayor of Genoa then addresses a message to the Italians abroad.

 

   Columbus Day at the Columbus House

 

Columbus Day Celebrations at Palazzo Ducale

In 2005, in addition to the usual celebrations at the Columbus House and at Palazzo Ducale, Genoa commemorated Columbus with eight days of festivities including an itinerant pageant depicting Genoa during Columbus’s time; a reading of the notary’s document dated 1455 which assigned a house and shop to Columbus’s father, Domenico; the opening of the new musical Dammi Tre Caravelle (Give Me Three Ships) directed by Oscar winner Gianni Quaranta, and several exhibits in the principal museums. The National Committee for Columbus Celebrations (Comitato Nazionale delle Celebrazioni di Cristoforo Colombo), created in 2005, also planned major events in 2006.