The Lighthouse of Genoa is the oldest and the highest lighthouse in the Mediterranean Sea area. Its height is 77 meters, and the stairs of 375 steps leads to the top.

Its history started in the country in the 12th century. The lighthouse should light the way for ships, coming from France to Genoa. To support the fire, the keepers used wood, as usual, dry juniper. To maintain the lighthouse the ships paid the taxes.

200 years later, the lighthouse was renewed – on the top, the workers installed a lamp on the olive oil. It was brighter than a fire, and the ships see the lighthouse better. 

The Lighthouse of Genoa did not function only as a lighthouse, it was also a strengthened construction, defending the city. To save it from capturing, the citizens surrounded it with a protective trench. 

In the 15th century, the lighthouse got one more function and became a prison. Among the prisoners were Jean II of Cyprus with his wife. The king had a war with Genoa, but for him, it ended tragically. The lighthouse had one more attack during the war with the French. It was restored in the middle of the 16th century. Some time later, Genoa enlarged its territories, and the lighthouse became a part of the city.

In the18th century the tower was modernized with a thin Fresnel lens. Two centuries later, it got electricity. The last reconstruction took place after the 2nd World War.

Now, the tourists can visit a museum close to the tower and learn more about the city and the port history.