Piazza De Ferrari

Genoa's monumental central square with its giant bronze fountain

The heart of modern Genoa, Piazza De Ferrari is surrounded by monumental buildings from three different periods: the Opera House, the Palazzo della Borsa (stock exchange), and the Palazzo Ducale all face onto the same space. The enormous bronze fountain at the centre, installed in 1936, is the city's most recognisable landmark after the lighthouse.

The square divides the medieval old city from the 19th-century new town and is perpetually busy with trams, buses, students, and commuters. It's the natural starting point for any visit to central Genoa — everything from the caruggi to the Via Garibaldi palaces is within a short walk.

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A story
The fountain at the centre of the square was designed in 1936 but was controversial from the start — Genoese traditionalists felt it was too fascist in its grandeur. It has since become the city's most-photographed landmark and the default meeting place for all Genoese.