Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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![]() The Mirror Gallery, Palace Stefano Balbi or Royal Palace, via Balbi, Genoa | |
Location | Genoa, Liguria, Italy |
Criteria | Cultural: (ii)(iv) |
Reference | 1211 |
Inscription | 2006 (30th Session) |
Area | 15.777 ha (38.99 acres) |
Buffer zone | 113 ha (280 acres) |
Coordinates | 44°24′44″N 8°55′52″E / 44.41222°N 8.93111°ECoordinates: 44°24′44″N 8°55′52″E / 44.41222°N 8.93111°E |
![]() ![]() Location of Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli in Liguria |
Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes a number of streets and palaces in the center of Genoa, in Northwestern Italy.
- The Strade Nuove (Italian for "New Streets") are a group of streets built by the Genoese aristocracy during the expansion of the city at a time when the Republic of Genoa was at the height of its financial and seafaring power. These are Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (1558-1583, formerly Strada Maggiore or Strada Nuova) and Via Balbi (1602-1620, formerly Strada Balbi), later followed by Via Cairoli (1778-1786, formerly Strada Nuovissima).
- The Palazzi dei Rolli (Italian for "Palaces of the Lists") are a group of palaces - most of which also date from the late 16th and early 17th centuries - which were associated to a particular system of ‘public lodging’ in private residences, whereby notable guests on State visit to the Republic were hosted in one of these palaces on behalf of the State.
On 13 July 13, 2006, forty-two of the 163 palaces originally included in one the five public list called "Rolli" (Italian for "lists") were selected as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO special committee meeting in Vilnius (Lithuania). The site includes an ensemble of Renaissance and Baroque palaces along the so-called ‘new streets’ (Strade Nuove), which offer an extraordinary variety of different solutions, achieving universal value in adapting to the particular characteristics of the site and to the requirements of a specific social and economic organization. They also offer an original example of a public network of private residences designated to host state visits.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Genova-palazzo_Francesco_Maria_Balbi_Piovera-via_Balbi.jpg/220px-Genova-palazzo_Francesco_Maria_Balbi_Piovera-via_Balbi.jpg)
On January 20, 2007, UNESCO unveiled a plaque in via Garibaldi, the former Strada Nuova, explaining the reasons for inclusion of the Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli within the World Heritage Sites:
The largest homes, various in shape and distribution, that were chosen at random in the lists (rolli) to host visits of state. The buildings, often built on sloping land, formed of a stepped atrium - courtyard - staircase - garden and rich interior decorations, express a singular social and economic identity and commencement of modern age urban architecture in Europe.
Some of the Palazzi dei Rolli are used today as public buildings, museums, offices and private residences. Among the palaces open to the public, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi jointly constitute the Strada Nuova Museums located in via Garibaldi.[2]
The Rolli of Genoa[]
The Rolli di Genova - or, more precisely, the Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici di Genova (Italian for "Lists of the public lodgings of Genoa") were the official lists at the time of the Republic of Genoa of the private palaces and mansions, belonging to the most distinguished Genoese families, which - if chosen through a public lottery - were obliged to host on behalf of the Government the most notable visitors during their State visit to the Republic.[1]
Later, these palaces hosted many famous visitors to Genoa during their Grand Tour, a cultural itinerary around Italy.
Today, Palazzi dei Rolli as a collective name represents the set of the most prestigious palaces of the historical center of Genoa, especially along the so-called Strade Nuove, the "New Streets" built by the Genoese aristocracy at the peak of Genoa's economic power in the 16th and 17th century (Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, formerly Strada Nuova or Via Aurea, Via Cairoli, formerly Strada Nuovissima, and via Balbi, now the home of the University of Genoa).[3]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Rolli_di_Genova_02.jpg/300px-Rolli_di_Genova_02.jpg)
History[]
Between the first half of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century, the Genoese nobility started a careful town planning to transform the existing medieval city and initiate a sizeable urban expansion to the North. The move to expand the antique palaces and to build new sumptuous ones was driven by the extraordinary wealth that came into the city through prosperous financing activities towards several European powers. In particular, the Genoese aristocracy financed the expensive undertakings of the Spanish Crown, such as the mercenary army that Spain kept in Flanders from 1566 to the peace of Westphalia in 1648. The ruling class of Genoa, mixing nobility of blood with new mercantile wealth, sought to underpin their prestige by the construction of grand city palaces and suburban villas of unusual splendor.[4]
The Rolli - or, more precisely, the Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici di Genova (Italian for "Lists of the public lodgings of Genoa") were official lists established in 1576 by the Genoese Senate - an aristocratic institution which took prominence as a result of the oligarchic reforms of the Prince and Admiral Andrea Doria - to determine the palaces available to the Government to ensure that the Republic of Genoa could offer appropriate lodging to the most notable guests who routinely visited the city, such as princes, kings, diplomats or religious authorities. The fact that not one single palace was chosen, but many, was a sign that the authorities of the Republic of Genoa considered the whole city as a "republican royal palace".[5]
The Palazzi dei Rolli were subdivided on the basis of their prestige into three categories - with size, beauty and importance as main criteria for selecting whether each palace was suitable to accommodate cardinals, princes and viceroys, feudal lords, ambassadors or governors. Only three palaces ere deemed suitable to accommodate the highest dignitaries, such as Popes, Emperors, Kings and most important Cardinals and Princes: the Palazzo Doria Spinola in Salita Santa Caterina, the in today's via Garibaldi and the , also in the current Via Garibaldi.[6]
The "Rolli" or "Lists" preserved to this day were five: 1576 (including 52 palaces); 1588 (111); 1599 (150); 1614 (96); and 1664 (95). In total, there were 162 palaces included at least once in one of these official lists.[6]
Quotes[]
- Bring the letter to Mrs. Mojon, in via Balbi; this is one of the three names of one major street, which is also the most beautiful of Italy (Stendhal, Journal d'un vojage en Italie et en Suisse pendant l'annee 1828, 1828)
- I tried to visit three galleries of famous paintings in via Balbi. As the owners have the good habit of living in the rooms where the paintings are located, one needs to call several times; and often the impatience generated in me by the arrogant refusals of the servants takes away the joy of seeing the paintings. The rich of Genoa live almost always on the third floor to be able to see the sea. The staircases are made of marble, but when - after climbing one hundred of those steps - a servant keeps you waiting for fifteen minutes then says: "His Excellency is still in his room, come back tomorrow", it is allowed to show a bout of ill temper, especially when one needs to leave in the evening (Stendhal, Memoires d'un touriste, 1837)
World Heritage Site[]
Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli became a World Heritage Site in 2006. The criteria for this selection were explained by the UNESCO as follows:
- Criterion (ii): The ensemble of the Strade Nuove and the related palaces exhibit an important interchange of values on the development of architecture and town planning in the 16th and 17th centuries. Through the architectural treatises of the time, these examples were publicized making the Strade Nuove and the late-Renaissance palaces of Genoa a significant landmark in the development of Mannerist and Baroque architecture in Europe.[1]
- Criterion (iv): The Strade Nuove in Genoa are 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. The project proposed a new and innovative spirit that characterized the Siglo de los Genoveses (1563 to 1640). In 1576, the Republic of Genoa established a legally based list of Rolli recognizing the most outstanding palaces for official lodging of distinguished guests.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Rolli.png/300px-Rolli.png)
The Palazzi dei Rolli included in the World Heritage Site[]
These are the forty-two palaces currently included by UNESCO in the World Heritage Site:[7][3]
No. | Original Owner | Location | Current name of the Palace | Photo | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Antonio Doria | Largo Lanfranco, 1, Genoa | Palazzo Doria Spinola | ![]() | |
2 | Clemente Della Rovere | Piazza Della Rovere, 1, Genoa | Palazzo Clemente Della Rovere | ![]() | |
3 | Gio. Battista Spinola | Salita Santa Caterina, 4, Genoa | ![]() | ||
4 | Tommaso Spinola | Salita Santa Caterina, 3, Genoa | ![]() | ||
5 | Giacomo Spinola | Piazza Fontane Marose, 6, Genoa | |||
6 | Antonio Doria | Piazza Fontane Marose, 3–4, Genoa | ![]() | ||
7 | Paolo e Nicolò Interiano | Piazza Fontane Marose, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
8 | Agostino Pallavicini | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1, Genoa | ![]() | ||
9 | Pantaleo Spinola | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
10 | Franco Lercari | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 3, Genoa | ![]() | ||
11 | Tobia Pallavicini | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 4, Genoa | |||
12 | Angelo Giovanni Spinola | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 5, Genoa | Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola | ![]() | |
13 | Andrea and Gio. Battista Spinola | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 6, Genoa | Palazzo Doria (Genoa) | ![]() | |
14 | Nicolosio Lomellino | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 7, Genoa | |||
15 | Lazzaro and Giacomo Spinola | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 8-10, Genoa | ![]() | ||
16 | Nicol�� Grimaldi | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 9, Genoa | Palazzo Doria Tursi (City Hall) | ||
17 | Baldassarre Lomellini | via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 12, Genoa | |||
18 | Luca Grimaldi | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 11, Genoa | Palazzo Bianco | ![]() | |
19 | Rodolfo and Francesco Brignole Sale | via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 18, Genoa | Palazzo Rosso (Genoa) | ![]() | |
20 | Gerolamo Grimaldi | Salita San Francesco, 4, Genoa | |||
21 | Gio Carlo Brignole | Piazza della Meridiana, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
22 | Bartolomeo Lomellino | Largo Della Zecca, 4, Genoa | ![]() | ||
23 | Stefano Lomellini | Via Cairoli, 18, Genoa | ![]() | ||
24 | Giacomo Lomellini and Cattaneo De Marini | Largo della Zecca, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
25 | Antoniotto Cattaneo | Piazza della Nunziata, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
26 | Gio. Agostino Balbi | Via Balbi, 1, Genoa | ![]() | ||
27 | Gio Francesco Balbi | Via Balbi, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
28 | Giacomo and Pantaleo Balbi | Via Balbi, 4, Genoa | ![]() | ||
29 | Francesco Balbi Piovera | Via Balbi, 6, Genoa | ![]() | ||
30 | Stefano Balbi | Via Balbi, 10, Genoa | Royal Palace of Genoa | ||
31 | Cosma Centurione | Via Lomellini, 8, Genoa | ![]() | ||
32 | Giorgio Centurione | Via Lomellini, 5, Genoa | ![]() | ||
33 | Gio. Battista Centurione | Via del Campo, 1, Genoa | |||
34 | Cipriano Pallavicini | Piazza Fossatello, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
35 | Nicolò Spinola | Via San Luca, 14, Genoa | ![]() | ||
36 | Francesco Grimaldi | Piazza di Pellicceria, 1, Genoa | Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria | ||
37 | Gio. Battista Grimaldi | Vico S. Luca, 4, Genoa | ![]() | ||
38 | Gio. Battista Grimaldi | Piazza San Luca, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
39 | Stefano De Mari | Via San Luca, 5, Genoa | ![]() | ||
40 | Ambrogio Di Negro | via San Luca, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
41 | Emanuele Filiberto Di Negro | Via al Ponte Reale, 2, Genoa | ![]() | ||
42 | De Marini | Piazza De Marini, 1, Genoa | ![]() |
The Palazzi dei Rolli not included in the UNESCO list[]
The following Palazzi dei Rolli are still preserved but, due to partitioning or altered use, have not been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site:[8]
Owner | Location | Palace | Image | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ottavio Imperiale | Piazza Campetto, 2, Genoa | ![]() | |
2 | Gio. Vincenzo Imperiale | Piazza Campetto 8A | ![]() | |
3 | Largo G. A. Sanguineti 11 | |||
4 | Piazza Cattaneo 26 | |||
5 | Giulio Pallavicini | Piazza De Ferrari 2 | ![]() | |
6 | Agostino Spinola | Piazza De Ferrari 3 | ![]() | |
7 | Pietro Durazzo | Piazza De Marini 4 | ||
8 | Nicolò Lomellini | Piazza della Nunziata 5 | ![]() | |
9 | Cristoforo Spinola | Piazza della Nunziata 6 | ![]() | |
10 | Bernardo e Giuseppe De Franchi | Piazza della Posta Vecchia 2 | ![]() | |
11 | Agostino De Franchi | Piazza della Posta Vecchia 3 | ![]() | |
12 | Domenico Grillo | Piazza delle Vigne 4 | ![]() | |
13 | Piazza delle Vigne 6 | ![]() | ||
14 | Pietro Spinola | Piazza di Pellicceria 3 | Palazzo Pietro Spinola di San Luca | ![]() |
15 | Giulio Sale | Piazza Embriaci 5 | ![]() | |
16 | Piazza Fontane Marose 1 | |||
17 | Marc'Antonio Giustiniani | Piazza Giustiniani 6 | ![]() | |
18 | Lorenzo Cattaneo | Piazza Grillo Cattaneo 1 | ![]() | |
19 | Lazzaro Grimaldi | Piazza Inferiore di Pellicceria 1 | ![]() | |
20 | Piazza Luccoli 2 | ![]() | ||
21 | Piazza Pinelli 2 | ![]() | ||
22 | Agostino e Giacomo Salvago | Piazza San Bernardo 26 | ||
23 | Paolo De Benedetti | Piazza San Donato 21 | ![]() | |
24 | Piazza San Giorgio 32 | |||
25 | Giorgio Doria | Piazza San Matteo 14 | ||
26 | Marc'Aurelio Rebuffo | Piazza Santa Sabina 2 | ![]() | |
27 | Antonio Sauli | Piazza Sauli 3 | ![]() | |
28 | Gio. Batta Senarega | Piazza Senarega 1 | ||
29 | Salita di San Matteo 19 | ![]() | ||
30 | Salita di Santa Caterina 1 | ![]() | ||
31 | Luciano Spinola | Salita di Santa Caterina 2 | ![]() | |
32 | Salita di Santa Caterina 5 | ![]() | ||
33 | Agostino e Benedetto Viale | Salita Pollaioli 12 | ![]() | |
34 | Via A. Gramsci 3 | |||
35 | Via al Ponte Calvi 3 | ![]() | ||
36 | Via al Ponte Reale 1 | ![]() | ||
37 | Gio. Andrea Cicala | Via Canneto il Lungo 17 | ![]() | |
38 | Agostino Calvi Saluzzo | Via Canneto il Lungo 21 | ![]() | |
39 | Via Canneto il Lungo 27 | ![]() | ||
40 | Via Canneto il Lungo 6 | |||
41 | Gio. Battista Saluzzo | Via Chiabrera 7 | ![]() | |
42 | Via David Chiossone 14 | ![]() | ||
43 | Via David Chiossone 4 | ![]() | ||
44 | Via degli Orefici 7 | ![]() | ||
45 | Vincenzo Giustiniani Banca | Via dei Giustiniani 11 | ||
46 | Gaspare Basadonne | Via dei Giustiniani 3 | ||
47 | Bartolomeo Invrea | Via del Campo 10 | ![]() | |
48 | Via del Campo 12 | ![]() | ||
49 | Antonio Doria Invrea | Via del Campo 9 | ![]() | |
50 | Francesco Borsotto | Via della Maddalena 29 | ![]() | |
51 | Jacopo Spinola | Via della Posta Vecchia 16 | ||
52 | Via Luccoli 22 | |||
53 | Daniele Spinola | Via Luccoli 23 | ![]() | |
54 | Filippo Lomellini | Via Paolo Emilio Bensa 1 | ![]() | |
55 | Marc'Antonio Sauli | Via San Bernardo 19 | ||
56 | Via San Bernardo 21 | |||
57 | Bendinelli Sauli | Via San Lorenzo 12 | ![]() | |
58 | Sinibaldo Fieschi | Via San Lorenzo 17 | ![]() | |
59 | Orazio e G. Fran.co De Franceschi | Via San Lorenzo 19 | ![]() | |
60 | Giovanni Battista Centurione | Via San Lorenzo 5 | ![]() | |
61 | Via San Lorenzo 8 | ![]() | ||
62 | Via San Luca 4 | |||
63 | Via San Luca 6 | |||
64 | Gerolamo Pallavicini | Via XXV Aprile 12 | ![]() | |
65 | Giovanni Garibaldi | Vico Carmagnola 7 | ![]() | |
66 | Vico dei Ragazzi 6 | |||
67 | Vico del Fieno 2 | ![]() | ||
68 | Brancaleone Grillo | Vico Delle Mele 6 | ||
69 | Vico Falamonica 1 | |||
70 | Nicola Grimaldi | Vico San Luca 2 | ![]() | |
71 | Vico Scuole Pie 1 | |||
72 | Via Lomellini 15 | ![]() |
Rolli Days[]
In 2009, after the Palazzi dei Rolli were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Municipality of Genoa started the so-called Rolli Days, dedicated to the free visit of both public and private buildings. Each time a different itinerary is proposed, with art students, architects and professional guides offering guided tours, almost all of them for free.
The Rolli Days happen twice a year, normally during a weekend in May and one in September. An exception to this rule was made to mark the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's recognition in 2016, when three weekends were dedicated to the Rolli Days in April, May and October.
The number of notable buildings open to the public during the Rolli Days has been increasing over time. More recently, also palaces not originally belonging to the Rolli system (as an example, some historical buildings of the University of Genoa), suburban villas and churches have been added to the tour offerings.
Palazzo Grillo seat of the De André Foundation[]
One of the Rolli palaces - Palazzo Grillo in Piazza delle Vigne[9] - was intended by the property to host the Foundation named after Fabrizio De André, famous songwriter from Genoa. Given the time required for the restoration of the building, the inauguration of the facility is scheduled for 2019, the tenth anniversary of his death in 2009.[10]
Inside the home, located in the centre of Genoa, will be a café and / or a restaurant, an auditorium, public rooms (classrooms and information) devoted to the study of the Genoese school of singer-songwriters, the top floor of the residence could be a meeting place between guests.
FAI is in the process of completing the rehabilitation and restoration of Villa Saluzzo Bombrini, in the Albaro quarter, known as Il Paradiso and inhabited in his youth by De André.
Images[]
Via Garibaldi, Genoa
Via Garibaldi, Genoa
Garden with statues and ninfeo Palazzo Podestà
Hall of the Palazzo Carrega Cataldi, Via Garibaldi, Genoa
Mirror gallery in the Royal Palace, via Balbi, Genoa
via Garibaldi, Genoa
via Garibaldi, Genoa
via Garibaldi, Genoa
via Garibaldi, Genoa
via Balbi, Genoa
via Balbi, Genoa
via Balbi, Genoa
See also[]
- Via Garibaldi
- Via Cairoli
- Via Balbi
- Republic of Genoa
- Genoa
References[]
- ^ a b c d "Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli". UNESCO.
- ^ "Strada Nuova Museum".
- ^ a b Quercioli, Mario (2008). I Palazzi dei Rolli Genova. Roma: Libreria dello Stato, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato. ISBN 9788824011433.
- ^ Le Strade Nuove. Genova: SAGEP Editrice. 1986. p. 5.
- ^ Ennio Poleggi (1998), Una reggia repubblicana. Atlante dei palazzi di Genova 1576-1664. Torino
- ^ a b Pomella, Gioconda (2007). Guida Completa ai Palazzi dei Rolli. Genova: De Ferrari. p. 6. ISBN 9788871728155.
- ^ "UNESCO WHS Genoa". UNESCO WHS.
- ^ Fonte: irolli.it
- ^ External links: Insight
- ^ Source: Il Secolo XIX, 21 January 2006
Bibliography[]
- Fiorella Caraceni (1992), Una strada rinascimentale: via Garibaldi a Genova, Genova, SAGEP
- Giorgio Doria (1995), Nobiltà e investimenti a Genova in Età moderna, Genova
- Gioconda Pomella (2007), Guida Completa ai Palazzi dei Rolli Genova, Genova, De Ferrari Editore(ISBN 9788871728155)
- Mauro Quercioli (2008), I Palazzi dei Rolli di Genova, Roma, Libreria dello Stato (ISBN 9788824011433)
- Fiorella Caraceni Poleggi (2001), Palazzi Antichi e Moderni di Genova raccolti e disegnati da Pietro Paolo Rubens (1652), Genova, Tormena Editore (ISBN 9788884801302)
- Mario Labò (2003), I palazzi di Genova di P.P. Rubens, Genova, Nuova Editrice Genovese
External links[]
- [1] Official website of the Rolli and Nuove Strade of Genoa - World Heritage Site
- http://www.palazzideirolli.eu/ Palazzi dei Rolli di Genova UNESCO World Heritage Site
- [2] Rolli of Genoa
- [3] Insight
- [4] Process of inclusion among World Heritage Sites
- The reasons for granting UNESCO status
- Palaces in Genoa
- World Heritage Sites in Italy
- Museums in Genoa
- Historic house museums in Italy