The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) or Palazzo Stefano Balbi is a major palace in Genoa.

Royal Palace of Genoa
Palazzo Reale di Genova
View of the Palace
Map
Former namesPalazzo Stefano Balbi
General information
Statusnow used as a museum, National Gallery
TypePalace
LocationGenoa, Italy
AddressVia Balbi, 10
Coordinates44°24′53″N 8°55′34″E / 44.414861°N 8.926194°E / 44.414861; 8.926194
Construction started1618
Completed1655
ClientBalbi family, Durazzo family, House of Savoy
Website
www.palazzorealegenova.beniculturali.it
Official namePalazzo Reale di Genova - Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli
TypeCultural
Criteriaii, iv
Designated2006 (30th session)
Reference no.1211
RegionEurope

History

edit

Construction of the present structure began in 1618 for the Balbi family. From 1643 to 1655, work renewed under the direction of the architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino. In 1677, the palace was sold to the Durazzo Family, who enlarged the palace under the designs of Carlo Fontana.

In 1823, the palace was sold to the Royal House of Savoy. From 1919, the palace has belonged to the state.

Decor

edit

The palace contains much original furniture and decoration. Frescoes inside include the Glory of the Balbi Family by Valerio Castello and Andrea Sghizzi, Spring changing slowly to Winter by Angelo Michele Colonna and Agostino Mitelli, and Jove establishes Justice on the Earth by Giovanni Battista Carlone. It also contains canvases by Bernardo Strozzi, il Grechetto, Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Domenico Fiasella as well as Bassano, Tintoretto, Luca Giordano, Anthony van Dyck, Ferdinand Voet, and Guercino. It contains statuary by Filippo Parodi.[citation needed]

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
edit

  Media related to Palazzo Reale (Genoa) at Wikimedia Commons