In Genoa! Of course … 😉 In Genoa, of course 🙂 Or more precisely, in the Church of St. Stephen, which is practically always closed due to staff shortages… but recently, on Saturdays, volunteers have been there, thanks to whom you can see the church… and the baptismal font of “Columbus” 🙂
History
Built in the 10th century, based on an earlier 5th-century church, the church has survived to this day in its Romanesque style. Even if it is a bit “cut off” because it is missing the right aisle, which was demolished at the end of the 19th century when the current Via XX Settembre was laid out. The bell tower, visible behind the church, is most likely even older and was originally a lookout tower.
The church
Very modest and austere. Originally, it contained only the nave, but over time, two side aisles were added, leaving only the left side aisle to survive. The chancel, in turn, is raised, likely to preserve the most important part of the church below. This is where the font where Christopher Columbus was baptised is located.
Christopher Columbus
Currently, almost nothing remains of the district that existed here until the mid-20th century. It was called Portoria, and from various documents we know that this is where he was born and lived (before moving, or at least his father Domenico did, to Columbus’s “official” house). For this reason, no one here in Genoa has ever doubted that Christopher Columbus was baptised in this very church. And that’s why it’s been known for “always” that the baptismal font located here is THE baptismal font. You can also find a memorial plate that was placed here to remember it.
I happened upon the church one Saturday when it was open, started looking for it … and I couldn’t find it at all … because it was covered with a tablecloth (!!!) and looked like a small table. I believe that if you find it, it will already be on display in all its glory 🙂 Especially since the date of Columbus’s baptism is supposedly engraved on its edge… I didn’t find it… Maybe you will! Wish you good luck!
