Palazzi dei Rolli, Genoa

Palazzi dei Rolli, Genoa

The Palazzi dei Rolli is a group of palaces in Genoa that were enlisted in the 16thcentury as public lodging in private residences for hosting dignitaries and notable visitors to the Republic of Genoa.

The Palazzi dei Rolli is a group of palaces in Genoa that were enlisted in the 16thcentury as public lodging in private residences for hosting dignitaries and notable visitors to the Republic of Genoa. The Renaissance and Baroque style homes built in the 16th– 18thcentury on 16 hectares along the Strade Nuove have a wealth of art and architecture. 42 of the 150 homes are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 'Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli' for being 'an outstanding example of an urban ensemble consisting of aristocratic palaces of high architectural value, which illustrate the economy and politics of the mercantile city of Genoa at the height of its power in the 16th and 17th centuries', and their role in the development of Mannerist and Baroque architecture in Europe.

The different palaces have distinct design details, but share a few similarities – built on sloping land, they rise 3 or 4 storeys with a stepped atrium, open staircases, frescoed rooms with a great art collection, and courtyard with loggias and gardens. The best among these are on Via Garibaldi, Via Lomellini, and Via Balbi, such as Palazzo Rodolfo, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Grimaldi, and Palazzo Reale.