Genoa’s Main Square

While your hire-car may not be as magnificently named as Genoa’s main square, the Piazza De Ferrari is still one of the most striking of its kind in Italy.  Situated as it is in the heart of the city, it acts as both a link and a buffer between Genoa’s historical and modern centres, and is famous for its fountain, which was recently restored as part of a major refurbishment of the entire piazza.

In much the same way as London’s financial centre is referred to as the City, so the Genoese refer to the Piazza De Ferrari as the City, surrounded as it is by the headquarters of Genoa’s banks, insurance offices and other major private businesses.  The square, and its reputation as the financial centre of the city is a reminder of the days in the 19^th Century when Genoa was Italy’s financial hub, along with Milan, and was the site of the establishment of Italy’s first stock exchange, Credit Italiano, and the Bank of Italy.

With all the grandiosity that these institutions conjure up, no visitor can help but be impressed by this impressive and bustling Piazza – Definitely not to be missed.