The center of attraction for all tourists traveling in Genoa is the old port. A large number of historical sites are located here. Among them is a unique panoramic elevator, reminiscent of its design, a fancy multi-armed crane sticking out of the water. The elevator car offers a stunning panorama of the city's surroundings.
Also in the old port area is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Here you can also visit the Museum of the Mediterranean Sea, which tells in every detail the history of shipbuilding, from old boats to modern cargo and passenger ships.
Another attraction located near the port is the old La Lanterna lighthouse. Its age reaches almost 1000 years. The lighthouse is one of the symbols of Genoa, as well as the tallest structure of its kind in the entire Mediterranean. Its height reaches 77 m, and 375 steps lead to the top. The building was erected in 1128 on the hill of Saint Benigno. It was intended to illuminate the sea route from France.
Previously, firewood was used to maintain the lighting, and a special fee was assigned to maintain the lighthouse and pay for the work of the caretaker, which was collected from all ships moored in the port.
After 2 centuries, the lighthouse acquired a lamp that worked on olive oil. This made it possible to increase the power of the luminous flux.
In addition to its direct purpose - to illuminate the path, the lighthouse tower was used for defensive purposes in the struggle between the clans. That is why the structure was often at the center of battles. Later, a moat was dug around the structure. And in the 15th century, there was a prison at the top of the tower. The Cypriot monarch Jean II de Lusignan was held hostage here together with his wife. The reason for the imprisonment of the king was an attempt to free Cyprus from the economic oppression of the Genoese.
During the French-Genoese War, the lighthouse was badly damaged. However, the Genoese managed to restore it and include it in the line of a rapidly developing city (the lighthouse was originally built far outside Genoa).
In the 18th century, rotating lenses were installed in the lighthouse. And at the beginning of the last century, electricity appeared here.
The last large-scale reconstruction of the lighthouse was carried out after the end of the Second World War, which caused serious injuries to the structure.
Today, there is a museum near the La Lanterna tower, where an exhibition is presented on the history of the city and the port, as well as the work of marine navigation systems.