In the ‘500 – closed the traditional trade routes with the East by the bellicose presence of the Ottoman Turks – the Genoese reinvented themselves financiers. Not that they were not even before, but the recent discovery of the New World opens up new opportunities for them. Established for years in the major cities of the Atlantic nations, united in rich communities and well integrated with the local people, they use the large capitals accumulated to contribute to the exploitation of the Amierican colonies. The King of Spain – with whom they are bound by an unshakeable alliance – is their best “client”. The balance of the loans, with interest, takes place in silver bars, the one discovered in Mexico and Peru and whose unscrupulous extraction will cause the death of thousands of Indians. Thanks to this unexpected wealth will be built the many aristocratic palaces that amazed all travelers who stopped in Genoa.