Palazzo Reale (Genoa)

Royal Palace of Genoa
Royal Palace of Genoa
Palazzo Reale di Genova
	View of the Palace
	Wikimedia \| © OpenStreetMap
Former names	Palazzo Stefano Balbi
General information
Status	now used as a museum, National Gallery
Type	Palace
Location	Genoa, Italy
Address	Via Balbi, 10
Coordinates	44°24′53″N 8°55′34″E / 44.414861°N 8.926194°ECoordinates: 44°24′53″N 8°55′34″E / 44.414861°N 8.926194°E
Construction started	1618
Completed	1655
Client	Balbi family, Durazzo family, House of Savoy
Website
	Official site of the Royal Palace;
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Palazzo Reale di Genova - Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iv
Designated	2006 (30th session)
Reference no.	1211
State Party	Italy
Region	Europe

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

History[]

Construction of the present structure began in 1618 for the Balbi family. From 1643-1655, work renewed under the direction of the architects and . In 1677, the palace was sold to the , 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[]

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]}