Christopher Columbus was most likely born in the Republic of Genoa, part of what is now Italy, between August and October 1451. His father was Domenico Colombo, a wool weaver and merchant, and his mother was Susanna Fontanarossa
. While there have been alternative theories suggesting he might have been born in Spain, Portugal, or of Jewish descent, the majority of reputable historians and archival documents support Genoa as his birthplace
. Recent DNA studies have introduced some debate, suggesting he may have lived in Spain and possibly concealed a Jewish heritage, but these findings have not displaced the traditional consensus that he was born in Genoa
