Rolli Days in Genoa: 37 most magnificient palaces open to the public

On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of April, from 10 am to 7 pm, free admission to Genoa most magnificient noble palaces.

The UNESCO site “Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of Palazzi dei Rolli” forms an organic urban unit made up of late-Renaissance and Baroque streets and squares lined by over a hundred palaces belonging to the city’s noble families. The grandest residences, each with its own architectural style and individual character, were on official lists (Rolli), and lots were drawn to decide which palace would have the privilege of playing host to visiting state dignitaries.

Often erected on sloping ground, the palazzi were designed according to the sequence atrium-courtyard-grand staircase-garden and boast richly decorated interiors. They embody a distinctive social and economic identity and mark the beginning of the era of modern urban architecture in Europe. Inscription on the World Heritage List confirms the exceptional universal value of a natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.

As one casts eyes upwards, she can imagine the grandeur of a city where brightly-coloured painted decorations created the illusion that the palace facades had been opened up, in a kind of modern
stage set designed to magnify the virtues of those who commissioned them.
 
Stories depicted on the vaulted ceilings of halls and salons recount epic deeds in celebration of the glorious ancestral history of Genoa’s aristocrats.
 
In the narrow alleyways of the old town, with buildings apparently piled one on top of the other, beautiful nymphs, airy staircases and fragrant gardens appear as if by magic – this is what happens in Genoa’s magnificent Renaissance and Baroque Strade Nuove.

Over the years, whole sections of the city as well as individual buildings have been rescued from degradation or from the war destruction in many refined and varied ways: from true-to-style reconstructions to interventions that appear less invasive while being equally effective.

This year, for the first time, there are 37 palazzi dei rolli open to visitors free of charge from 10 am to 7 pm. Students, doctoral candidates and researchers from the University of Genoa will welcome visitors to illustrate the magnificence of these historic dwelling-places and the works by grand masters that decorate them. 

The full program with all the events is available here and at the Tourist Information Centers (IAT) in Genoa. 

(1) PALAZZO ANTONIO DORIA (DORIA SPINOLA)
LARGO E. LANFRANCO 1
interiors open to the public

(3) PALAZZO GIORGIO SPINOLA
SAL.S.CATERINA 4
atrium  open to the public
 
(4) PALAZZO TOMMASO SPINOLA
SAL.S.CATERINA 3
atrium open to the public
 
(9) PALAZZO PANTALEO SPINOLA
VIA GARIBALDI 2
interiors open to the public

 
(10) PALAZZO FRANCO LERCARI (PARODI)
NOVITÀ
VIA GARIBALDI 3
interi visitabili
 
(11) PALAZZO TOBIA PALLAVICINO
VIA GARIBALDI 4
interiors open to the public

(12) PALAZZO ANGELO GIOVANNI SPINOLA
VIA GARIBALDI 5
atrium open to the public
 
(13) PALAZZO G. BATTISTA SPINOLA
VIA GARIBALDI 6
atrium open to the public
 
(14) PALAZZO NICOLOSIO LOMELLINO
VIA GARIBALDI 7
interiors open to the public

 (16) PALAZZO NICOLÒ GRIMALDI
(MUSEI DI STRADA NUOVA PALAZZO TURSI)
VIA GARIBALDI 9
interiors open to the public
 
(19) PALAZZO RIDOLFO MARIA
E GIO. FRANCESCO I BRIGNOLE SALE
(MUSEI DI STRADA NUOVA PALAZZO ROSSO)
VIA GARIBALDI 18
interiors open to the public

 
(18) PALAZZO LUCA GRIMALDI
(MUSEI DI STRADA NUOVA PALAZZO BIANCO)
VIA GARIBALDI 11
interiors open to the public
 
(20) PALAZZO GEROLAMO GRIMALDI
(PALAZZO DELLA MERIDIANA)
SALITA SAN FRANCESCO 4
atrium open to the public
 
(23) PALAZZO STEFANO LOMELLINI
(PALAZZO DORIA LAMBA)
VIA CAIROLI 18
atrium open to the public 
(31) PALAZZO CENTURIONE
(PALAZZO DURAZZO PALLAVICINI)
VIA LOMELLINI 8
atrium open to the public

 (24) PALAZZO GIACOMO LOMELLINI
(PATRONE)
LARGO ZECCA 2
interiors open to the public

 (86) PALAZZO NICOLÒ LOMELLINI
(PALAZZO LAURO)
PIAZZA DELLA NUNZIATA 5
interiors open to the public
 
(27) PALAZZO GIO FRANCESCO BALBI
(UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA)
VIA BALBI 2
interiors open to the public
 
 
(28) PALAZZO GIACOMO E PANTALEO BALBI
(UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA)
VIA BALBI 4
interiors open to the public
 
(UN) PALAZZO DELL’UNIVERSITÀ
(EX COLLEGIO DEI GESUITI,
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA)
VIA BALBI 5
interiors open to the public
 
(30) PALAZZO STEFANO BALBI
(MUSEO DI PALAZZO REALE)
VIA BALBI 10
interiors open to the public

 (83) PALAZZO CESARE DURAZZO
VIA DEL CAMPO 12
interiors open to the public
 
 (82) PALAZZO B. INVREA
(PALAZZO DEL CARDINALE CYBO)
VIA DEL CAMPO 10
atrium open to the public
 
(33) PALAZZO GIO BATTISTA CENTURIONE
(PALAZZO ANDREA PITTO)
VIA DEL CAMPO 1
interiors open to the public

 (81) PALAZZO SERRA GERACE
VIA DI SOTTORIPA 5
interiors open to the public
 
(80) PALAZZO PINELLI
PIAZZA PINELLI 2
atrium and loggia open to the public
 
(35) PALAZZO NICOLÒ SPINOLA (FARRUGIA)
VIA SAN LUCA 14
interiors open to the public

 (SA) PALAZZO SALVAGO
VIA SAN LUCA 12
atrium open to the public
 
(36) PALAZZO FRANCESCO GRIMALDI
(GALLERIA NAZIONALE DI PALAZZO SPINOLA)
PIAZZA PELLICCERIA 1
interiors open to the public

 (85) PALAZZO NICOLA GRIMALDI
VICO SAN LUCA 2
interiors open to the public
 
(40) PALAZZO AMBROGIO DI NEGRO
VIA SAN LUCA 2
interiors open to the public
 
(42) PALAZZO DE MARINI CROCE
PIAZZA DE MARINI, 1
atrium open to the public
 
(69) PALAZZO GIO VINCENZO IMPERIALE
PIAZZA CAMPETTO 8
interiors open to the public
 
(CA) PALAZZO DORIA CARCASSI
NOVITÀ
VIA CHIOSSONE 10
interiors open to the public
 
(71) PALAZZO DOMENICO GRILLO
PIAZZA DELLE VIGNE 4
interiors open to the public

 (74) PALAZZO BRANCALEONE GRILLO
NOVITÀ
VICO MELE 6
interiors open to the public

 (75) PALAZZO DE FRANCHI
NOVITÀ
PIAZZA POSTA VECCHIA 2
interiors open to the public
 

BANCA CARIGE

Additionally, together with a breathtaking view of the historic city centre, the Carige bank’s headquarters in Genoa offers visitors the chance to admire the works of art collected by Banca Carige over time, with purchases from important private collections, mostly from ancient palaces of Genoa. Paintings, maiolica pottery, prints and coins chart a path into the history of the Maritime Republic of Genoa. Free guided tours. Group visits arranged on site.

VILLA DEL PRINCIPE

(VP) PIAZZA DEL PRINCIPE 4

garden and museum open to the public  

Guided tours

Professional guides will take you through the historic centre of the city to help you discover the hidden treasures preserved in the dwellings that make up the “Rolli System”, where art and architecture demonstrate the power and the magnificence of the families that once ruled the city.
The tours in English will start from the atrium of Palazzo Rosso at 10.15 am and 3 pm
The tours in French will start from the atrium of Palazzo Rosso at 10.45 am
 
For more information: IAT: Via Garibaldi 12r e Porto Antico, Palazzina S. Maria
+39 010.5572903 – info@visitgenoa.it info@visitgenoa.it