During November 2006 a limited trial excavation was conducted in the Genoese Quarter of the Old City of ‘Akko (Building No. 11/125; Permit No. A-4952*; map ref. NIG 206736–67/758509–20; OIG 156736–67/258509–20). The excavation, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and the Università degli Studi di Genova, was directed by E. Stern and F. Benente, with the assistance of G. Garbarino, A. Parise and H. Smithline (photography).
A section of a covered street in the Genoese quarter in ‘Akko was discovered in 1992 (‘Atiqot 26:105–111). It was oriented west–east and a segment of its western part was cleaned.
The continued study of this street brought forth the opening of a trial square (3 × 3 m) inside an Ottoman structure in the Old City of ‘Akko. The modern concrete floor was removed and a modern fill from the last 30 years was excavated. This fill overlaid a vault, dating to the Crusader period, which seems to be the continuation of the covered street in the Genoese quarter. The excavation was suspended due to safety precautions.