Webcam Genoa. Seaport
Genoa is the administrative center of the Liguria Region and the Ligurian Riviera, the largest seaport in Italy, the possible birthplace of Christopher Columbus. This sixth-largest Italian city forms the agglomeration of Greater Genoa with a population of over 1.5 million people, located in a narrow strip of more than 30 km along the coast of the Gulf of Genoa of the Ligurian Sea and limited by the Apennine Mountains from land.
The transformation of Genoa into one of the largest ports of the Mediterranean began in the tenth century, when the citizens, led by a bishop and a local feudal lord (viscount) began to strengthen ties with other Christian centers from Spain to Palestine. By the beginning of XII century Genoa becomes an independent city-state.
Formally recognizing the power of the Holy Roman Emperor and the bishop, the Genoese maritime power (Thalassocracy) was actually governed by a council of elected consuls representing the interests of the most influential trading families - Fieschi, Spinola, Doria, Grimaldi of the various merchant guilds. Genoa was governed as a trading company, which, despite political strife, contributed to its development and prosperity. Four families ruled the Republic of Genoa for five centuries. One of the Grimaldi branches settled in Monaco in the fourteenth century, where it continues to rule today.
The great hour of Genoa dates back to the 11th century, when the medieval port city began to actively trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its participation in the Crusades, Genoa became the capital of the powerful Genoese maritime republic of imperial proportions with numerous overseas colonies. At the time of the Crusades, Genoa surpassed many of the kingdoms of Europe in wealth and influence. Along with Venice, Amalfi and Pisa, it was a maritime republic with a population of one hundred thousand (including many from other lands), a developed trade, shipbuilding and banking system.
The largest Italian port is Genoa, one of the most important in the Mediterranean, located on the 20-kilometer coast of the Ligurian Sea, and serves as a sea gateway for northwestern Italy, as well as for Switzerland. The port has a cargo turnover of 55 million tons and a container terminal handling over 2.5 million TEU (2018). The port has 5 passenger terminal berths for cruise ships and 13 berths for ferries. The annual capacity of the ferry terminals is over 5 million passengers, 2 million cars and 300,000 trucks.
Genoa Sea Port includes a medieval harbor, which is adjacent to the historic center of the city. The port has a historical lighthouse Lantern 76 meters in height and a small lighthouse at the eastern entrance to the port.
