Genoa

I sparkle next to the big, blue water. My houses are painted bright colors like a rainbow. They go up, up, up the green hills. You can hear bells ringing on the boats and happy birds singing in the sky. I am a special city in a country called Italy. My name is Genoa.

For a very, very long time, I have been a safe home for big ships and little boats. Long ago, in the 11th century, brave sailors left from my harbor to explore the big sea. To help them find their way back home, I have a tall, friendly lighthouse. It is called the Lanterna. It first turned on its bright light for the sailors in the year 1128. It still shines its light today, winking at the ships to say, 'Welcome home'.

A long time ago, a little boy named Christopher Columbus played in my streets. This was around the year 1451. He loved to watch the tall ships sail away. He dreamed of having his own big adventure on the sea. And one day, he did.

Today, big ships and small boats still float in my water. Families love to visit me. They go to my big aquarium to say hello to the colorful fish. They eat yummy noodles with a special green sauce called pesto. It was invented right here. I love being a place where the sea and the land meet, and where new adventures and happy memories are always made.