The old city of Genoa is teeming with impressive 16th-century mansions, yet the only one which has been converted into a gallery is the National Ligurian Gallery at the Spinola Palace. Add this to your itinerary to see some of the city’s most acclaimed paintings hanging on the walls of the decadent rooms of the mansion. Walk elegant hallways where the marble floors and high, frescoed ceilings are as beautiful as the framed artworks on display.
Genoa was once one of the most prosperous of the European seafaring cities and its merchants accrued great wealth during the 16th and 17th centuries. Visit this magnificent mansion to see how they lived and appreciate the architecture and furniture of the upper classes of the time. The palazzo and its contents were donated to the Italian State in 1958 by Marquises Francesco and Paolo Spinola.
The Spinola Palace was built by Francesco Grimaldi but passed through several families during the following centuries, each one adding to the invaluable collection of paintings which now adorns the walls. See works by great Genoese, Flemish and European artists such Anton van Dyck, Joos van Cleve, Pieter Paolo Reubens, Valerio Castello, Luca Giordano and many others. In addition to the paintings, there are also many important collections of ceramics.
Explore the four floors of the palace, which are filled with relics of Genoa’s proud history and splendor. The bottom two floors are comprised of the restored palace rooms, where the opulent décor and furnishings are dazzling, while the gallery occupies the top two floors. The wide range of artifacts spans everything from 15th-century clothing to dramatic frescoes and glittering mirrors.
The National Ligurian Gallery at the Spinola Palace is located on Piazza di Pellicceria. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, with shorter hours on Sundays. Visit on the first Sunday of the month to gain free admission. Otherwise, there is a small fee to enter. The gallery is just a 10-minute walk away from the Ducal Palace and its adjacent car park.
