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Guide to Genoa's UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-27

Since July 2006, the Palazzi dei Rolli in Genoa, which are historic residences of nobility, have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The term 'Rolli' designates lists that classify palaces based on their size and opulence, established in the late 16th century for accommodating state visitors. Among the notable palaces are: the Palazzo di Antonio Doria (currently used as offices), Palazzo Stefano Balbi (Palazzo Reale) showcasing works by Valerio Castello and Anton van Dyck, Palazzo Francesco e Ridolfo Brignole Sale (Palazzo Rosso) adorned with Baroque frescoes, Palazzo Luca Grimaldi (Palazzo Bianco) housing a collection of European paintings, and Palazzo Nicolò Grimaldi (Palazzo Doria-Tursi) featuring Canova's Maddalena, along with others that display remarkable frescoes and art from various artists.

Key facts

  • Palazzi dei Rolli inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in July 2006.
  • Rolli means lists (bussoli) categorizing palaces by size, luxury, and owner status.
  • Created in late 16th century by the Senate of the Republic of Genoa for state visits.
  • Palazzo di Antonio Doria now houses Prefecture and Metropolitan City offices.
  • Palazzo Reale (Stefano Balbi) includes Gallery of Palazzo Reale with works by van Dyck and Strozzi.
  • Palazzo Rosso (Brignole Sale) donated to city in 1874 by Duchess of Galliera.
  • Palazzo Bianco (Luca Grimaldi) reopened in 1950 after WWII bombings with new layout by Franco Albini.
  • Palazzo Doria-Tursi houses Canova's Maddalena penitente and Paganini's violin.
  • Frescoes by Bernardo Strozzi rediscovered in Palazzo Nicolosio Lomellino in 2002.
  • Palazzo della Meridiana features Luca Cambiaso's fresco of Ulysses and Liberty-style skylight.

Entities

Artists

  • Antonio Doria
  • Bernardino Cantone
  • Aurelio Calvi
  • Felice Calvi
  • Bartolomeo Bianchi
  • Giovanni Battista Carlone
  • Lazzaro Calvi
  • Pantaleo Calvi
  • Giovanni Cambiaso
  • Luca Cambiaso
  • Stefano Balbi
  • Pier Francesco Cantone
  • Michele Moncino
  • Angelo Falcone
  • Carlo Fontana
  • Valerio Castello
  • Andrea Seghizzi
  • Angelo Michele Colonna
  • Agostino Mitelli
  • Bernardo Strozzi
  • Grechetto
  • Maria Giovanna Battista Clementi
  • Giovanni Battista Gaulli
  • Luca Giordano
  • Anton van Dyck
  • Pietro Antonio Corradi
  • Domenico Piola
  • Paolo Gerolamo Piola
  • Gregorio De Ferrari
  • Giovanni Andrea Carlone
  • Carlo Antonio Tavella
  • Domenico Guidobono
  • Gio.Enrico Haffner
  • Antonio Haffner
  • Maria Brignole De Ferrari
  • Guido Reni
  • Guercino
  • Mattia Preti
  • Palma il Vecchio
  • Veronese
  • Luca Grimaldi
  • Giacomo Viano
  • Gaetano Poggi
  • Franco Albini
  • Caterina Marcenaro
  • Alessandro Magnasco
  • Pieter Paul Rubens
  • Gerard David
  • Bartolomè Esteban Murillo
  • Jose de Rivera
  • Simon Vouet
  • Nicolò Grimaldi
  • Canova
  • Niccolò Paganini
  • Bartolomeo Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri
  • Jean-Baptiste Vuillaum
  • Nicolosio Lomellino
  • Giovanni Battista Castello
  • Giacomo Antonio Boni
  • Domenico Parodi
  • Lorenzo De Ferrari
  • Tommaso Aldovrandini
  • Marcantonio Franceschini
  • Luigi Centurione
  • Tobia Pallavicino
  • Bartolomeo Riccio
  • Domenico Solari
  • Antonio Roderio
  • Francesco Grimaldi
  • Ansaldo Pallavicini
  • Domenico Fiasella
  • Giulio Cesare Procaccini
  • Giovanni Pisano
  • Antonello da Messina
  • Lazzaro Tavarone
  • Maddalena Doria
  • Nicolò Spinola
  • Giacomo Balbi
  • Pantaleo Balbi
  • Bartolomeo Bianco
  • Francesco Maria Balbi
  • Giovanni Battista Barberini
  • Angelo Giovanni Spinola
  • Giulio Spinola
  • Andrea Semino
  • Bernardo Castello
  • Gerolamo Grimaldi
  • Giovanni Battista Grimaldi
  • Aurelio Busso
  • Gio Batta Castello
  • Giacomo Brusco
  • Evan Mackenzie
  • Gino Coppedè

Institutions

  • UNESCO
  • Senate of the Republic of Genoa
  • Prefettura di Genova
  • Città Metropolitana di Genova
  • Museo di Palazzo Reale
  • Galleria di Palazzo Reale
  • Palazzo Rosso
  • Palazzo Bianco
  • Musei di Strada Nuova
  • Palazzo Doria-Tursi
  • Camera di Commercio di Genova
  • Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Spinola
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Palazzo della Meridiana
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Genoa
  • Italy
  • Largo Lanfranco 1
  • Via Balbi 10
  • Via Garibaldi 18
  • Via Garibaldi 11
  • Via Garibaldi 9
  • Via Garibaldi 7
  • Via Garibaldi 4
  • Piazza di Pellicceria 1
  • Via Balbi 4
  • Via Garibaldi 5
  • Salita di S. Francesco 4
  • Via Cairoli

Sources