The foundation of Panama was the result of the interest of the Spanish Crown to control the route to the Orient and find a passage to the Moluccas. However, after explorations of the Pacific coast, Panama became the place for imperial opening and expansion that allowed the conquest by way of the Pacific Ocean. It was also a key city for the traffic of people from Africa, who from there were mobilized to different places in the colonies. The city of Panama had the suburban neighbourhoods of Malambo and Pierdevidas, which were inhabited mainly by a population of African origin who resided permanently in the city.

Towards the end of the 17th century, Domingo Grillo and Ambrosio Lomelín appointed some of their more capable agents in the city of Panama. The city served as a transit port for at least 60% of the enslaved Africans that were sold in the Spanish colonies for the duration of the contract established between the Spanish Crown and Grillo and Lomelin.

The House of the Genovese, as it is known today, was the place were the commercial network of Grillo and Lomelin was established, and it was one of the most important buildings in the Old City of Panama. Inside the inner courtyard there was an infirmary, which cared for the enslaved persons arriving in Portobelo very sick after the rough voyage from Africa. However, historical documents suggest that most of the diseased persons who were admitted did not come out alive from the House of the Genovese.  

The upper part of the house had windows with a view of the Pacific to the east, the Royal Houses to the south, the Cathedral to the west and the Infirmary to the north. This allowed them to control the ships that arrived and those that departed, as well as the traffic of persons.   

The House of the Genovese is part of the monumental complex of Old Panama, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1997, with extension on 2003. Today Old Panama is one of the most important archaeological and historical sites of Panama.