Palazzo Ducale, Genoa

Palazzo Ducale, Genoa

The Palazzo Ducale or Doge's Palace was once home to the Doges of Genoa, but is now a museum and centre for cultural events and arts exhibitions.

The Palazzo Ducale or Doge's Palace was once home to the Doges of Genoa, but is now a museum and centre for cultural events and arts exhibitions. Originally built in the 13thcentury by the Capitani del Popolo, it became the Ducal palace from 1339 when it was used as the seat of the first Genoese Doge Simon Boccanegra. It was renovated in the 16thcentury by Andrea Ceresola (Vannone), and again in the 18thcentury by Simone Cantoni in Neoclassical style.

It has 2 different entrances and façades - the main one in Neoclassical style on Piazza Matteotti, and Orlando Grosso's classical façade on Piazza de Ferrari. The north and west facades on Salita del Fondaco and Salita All'Arcivescovato are in Ceresola's Mannerist style. Ceresola also linked the set of medieval buildings in Mannerist style, including those overlooking Via Tommaso Reggio and the palace of Alberto Fieschi with the attached Grimaldina tower. He added a grand hall flanked by 2 courtyards, and an imposing double staircase going up to the rooms on the first floor, with the west stairway leading directly to the public rooms of the Palace including the Great Council Hall (Maggior Consiglio) and Minor Council Hall (Minor Consiglio). The ducal chapel here has several frescoes by Giovanni Battista Carlone – the ceiling mural depicts the glorification of the Virgin on the occasion of the proclamation of Mary as Queen of Genoa in 1637.

The magnificent Council Rooms on the piano nobile host major cultural events, such as the G-8 Summit in 2001. Guided tours of the premises are available. You can also climb up the Tower Grimaldina for great views from the top.