Genoa is a city and a major seaport in northern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. The city is dubbed la Superba ("the Superb one") due to its glorious past. Genoa's history can be traced back to ancient times, to the time of the first historically known inhabitants of the area - the Ligures, an Italic tribe. When the Western Roman Empire fell, Genoa was occupied by the Ostrogoths. After the Gothic War, the Byzantines made it the seat of their vicar. During the following several centuries, Genoa was a small, obscure fishing center. However, it slowly built its merchant fleet which was to become the leading commercial carrier of the Mediterranean Sea. Before 1100, Genoa became an independent city-state, one of a number of Italian city-states during this period. Genoa was one of the "Maritime Republics" (Repubbliche Marinare), along with Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi. The main attractions of central Genoa include Piazza De Ferrari, Strada Nuova (now Via Garibaldi), in the old city, St. Lawrence Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo), the Old Harbour (Porto Antico), and the famous cemetery of Staglieno, renowned for its monuments and statues.
