Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli

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.
Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Mirror Gallery, Palace Stefano Balbi or Royal Palace, via Balbi, Genoa
LocationGenoa, Liguria, Italy
CriteriaCultural: (ii)(iv)
Reference1211
Inscription2006 (30th Session)
Area15.777 ha (38.99 acres)
Buffer zone113 ha (280 acres)
Coordinates44°24′44″N 8°55′52″E
Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli is located in Liguria
Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli
Location of Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli in Liguria

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]

Palazzo Balbi Piovera Raggio (via Balbi (Genoa)).

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—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]

The official Rolli of the Republic of Genoa

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—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 Palazzo Grimaldi Doria Tursi in today's via Garibaldi and the Palazzo Lercari Parodi, 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]
Map of the Strade Nuove and the Palazzi dei Rolli included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site

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 Palazzo Giorgio Spinola
4 Tommaso Spinola Salita Santa Caterina, 3, Genoa Palazzo Tommaso Spinola
5 Giacomo Spinola Piazza Fontane Marose, 6, Genoa Palazzo Giacomo Spinola "dei Marmi"
6 Antonio Doria Piazza Fontane Marose, 3–4, Genoa Palazzo Ayrolo Negrone
7 Paolo e Nicolò Interiano Piazza Fontane Marose, 2, Genoa Palazzo Interiano Pallavicini
8 Agostino Pallavicini Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1, Genoa Palazzo Cambiaso Pallavicini
9 Pantaleo Spinola Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 2, Genoa Palazzo Spinola Gambaro
10 Franco Lercari Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 3, Genoa Palazzo Lercari-Parodi
11 Tobia Pallavicini Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 4, Genoa Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi
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 Palazzo Nicolosio Lomellino
15 Lazzaro and Giacomo Spinola Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 8–10, Genoa Palazzo Cattaneo-Adorno
16 Nicolò Grimaldi Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 9, Genoa Palazzo Doria Tursi (City Hall)
17 Baldassarre Lomellini via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 12, Genoa Palazzo Campanella o di Baldassarre Lomellini
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 Palazzo Gerolamo Grimaldi
21 Gio Carlo Brignole Piazza della Meridiana, 2, Genoa Palazzo Durazzo Brignole
22 Bartolomeo Lomellino Largo Della Zecca, 4, Genoa Palazzo Rostan Reggio
23 Stefano Lomellini Via Cairoli, 18, Genoa Palazzo Lomellini-Doria Lamba
24 Giacomo Lomellini and Cattaneo De Marini Largo della Zecca, 2, Genoa Palazzo Giacomo Lomellini
25 Antoniotto Cattaneo Piazza della Nunziata, 2, Genoa Palazzo Belimbau
26 Gio. Agostino Balbi Via Balbi, 1, Genoa Palazzo Durazzo Pallavicini
27 Gio Francesco Balbi Via Balbi, 2, Genoa Palazzo Balbi Cattaneo
28 Giacomo and Pantaleo Balbi Via Balbi, 4, Genoa Palazzo Balbi Senarega
29 Francesco Balbi Piovera Via Balbi, 6, Genoa Palazzo Balbi Piovera Raggio
30 Stefano Balbi Via Balbi, 10, Genoa Royal Palace of Genoa
31 Cosma Centurione Via Lomellini, 8, Genoa Palazzo Cosma Centurione
32 Giorgio Centurione Via Lomellini, 5, Genoa Palazzo Giorgio Centurione
33 Gio. Battista Centurione Via del Campo, 1, Genoa Palazzo Gio Battista Centurione
34 Cipriano Pallavicini Piazza Fossatello, 2, Genoa Palazzo Cipriano Pallavicini
35 Nicolò Spinola Via San Luca, 14, Genoa Palazzo Nicolò Spinola
36 Francesco Grimaldi Piazza di Pellicceria, 1, Genoa Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria
37 Gio. Battista Grimaldi Vico S. Luca, 4, Genoa Palazzo Gio Battista Grimaldi (Vico San Luca)
38 Gio. Battista Grimaldi Piazza San Luca, 2, Genoa Palazzo Gio. Battista Grimaldi (Piazza San Luca)
39 Stefano De Mari Via San Luca, 5, Genoa Palazzo Stefano De Mari
40 Ambrogio Di Negro via San Luca, 2, Genoa Palazzo Ambrogio Di Negro
41 Emanuele Filiberto Di Negro Via al Ponte Reale, 2, Genoa Palazzo Emanuele Filiberto Di Negro
42 De Marini Piazza De Marini, 1, Genoa Palazzo De Marini Croce

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
1Ottavio ImperialePiazza Campetto, 2, GenoaPalazzo Ottavio Imperiale
2Gio. Vincenzo ImperialePiazza Campetto 8APalazzo Gio Vincenzo Imperiale
3Largo G. A. Sanguineti 11Palazzo Senarega-Zoagli
4Piazza Cattaneo 26Palazzo Cattaneo Della Volta
5Giulio PallaviciniPiazza De Ferrari 2Palazzo Giulio Pallavicini
6Agostino SpinolaPiazza De Ferrari 3Palazzo Agostino Spinola
7Pietro DurazzoPiazza De Marini 4Palazzo Pietro Durazzo
8Nicolò LomelliniPiazza della Nunziata 5Palazzo Nicolò Lomellini
9Cristoforo SpinolaPiazza della Nunziata 6Palazzo Cristoforo Spinola
10Bernardo e Giuseppe De FranchiPiazza della Posta Vecchia 2Palazzo Bernardo e Giuseppe De Franchi
11Agostino De FranchiPiazza della Posta Vecchia 3Palazzo Agostino De Franchi
12Domenico GrilloPiazza delle Vigne 4Palazzo Domenico Grillo
13Piazza delle Vigne 6Palazzo Agostino Doria
14Pietro SpinolaPiazza di Pellicceria 3Palazzo Pietro Spinola di San Luca
15Giulio SalePiazza Embriaci 5Palazzo Giulio Sale
16Piazza Fontane Marose 1Palazzo Spinola di Luccoli-Balestrino
17Marc'Antonio GiustinianiPiazza Giustiniani 6Palazzo Marcantonio Giustiniani
18Lorenzo CattaneoPiazza Grillo Cattaneo 1Palazzo Lorenzo Cattaneo
19Lazzaro GrimaldiPiazza Inferiore di Pellicceria 1Palazzo Lazzaro Grimaldi
20Piazza Luccoli 2Palazzo De Mari
21Piazza Pinelli 2Palazzo Pinelli-Parodi
22Agostino e Giacomo SalvagoPiazza San Bernardo 26Palazzo Agostino e Giacomo Salvago
23Paolo De BenedettiPiazza San Donato 21Palazzo Paolo De Benedetti
24Piazza San Giorgio 32Palazzo Basadonne
25Giorgio DoriaPiazza San Matteo 14Palazzo Giorgio Doria
26Marc'Aurelio RebuffoPiazza Santa Sabina 2Palazzo Marc'Aurelio Rebuffo
27Antonio SauliPiazza Sauli 3Palazzo Antonio Sauli
28Gio. Batta SenaregaPiazza Senarega 1Palazzo Gio Batta Senarega
29Salita di San Matteo 19Palazzo Doria-Danovaro
30Salita di Santa Caterina 1Palazzo Spinola di Luccoli-Cervetto
31Luciano SpinolaSalita di Santa Caterina 2Palazzo Luciano Spinola di Luccoli
32Salita di Santa Caterina 5Palazzo Spinola-Celesia
33Agostino e Benedetto VialeSalita Pollaioli 12Palazzo Agostino e Benedetto Viale
34Via A. Gramsci 3Palazzo Lomellini-Serra
35Via al Ponte Calvi 3Palazzo Pallavicini-Fabiani
36Via al Ponte Reale 1Palazzo Adorno
37Gio. Andrea CicalaVia Canneto il Lungo 17Palazzo Gio Andrea Cicala
38Agostino Calvi SaluzzoVia Canneto il Lungo 21Palazzo Agostino Calvi Saluzzo
39Via Canneto il Lungo 27Palazzo Fieschi-Crosa di Vergagni
40Via Canneto il Lungo 6Palazzo De Franchi-Pittaluga
41Gio. Battista SaluzzoVia Chiabrera 7Palazzo Gio Battista Saluzzo
42Via David Chiossone 14Palazzo Doria-Serra
43Via David Chiossone 4Palazzo Grimaldi
44Via degli Orefici 7Palazzo Lercari-Spinola
45Vincenzo Giustiniani BancaVia dei Giustiniani 11Palazzo Vincenzo Giustiniani Banca
46Gaspare BasadonneVia dei Giustiniani 3Palazzo Gaspare Basadonne
47Bartolomeo InvreaVia del Campo 10Palazzo Bartolomeo Invrea
48Via del Campo 12Palazzo Durazzo-Cattaneo Adorno
49Antonio Doria InvreaVia del Campo 9Palazzo Antonio Doria Invrea
50Francesco BorsottoVia della Maddalena 29Palazzo Francesco Borsotto
51Jacopo SpinolaVia della Posta Vecchia 16Palazzo Jacopo Spinola
52Via Luccoli 22Palazzo Tommaso Franzone
53Daniele SpinolaVia Luccoli 23Palazzo Nicolò Spinola di Luccoli
54Filippo LomelliniVia Paolo Emilio Bensa 1Palazzo Filippo Lomellini
55Marc'Antonio SauliVia San Bernardo 19Palazzo Marcantonio Sauli
56Via San Bernardo 21Palazzo Alessandro Giustiniani
57Bendinelli SauliVia San Lorenzo 12Palazzo Bendinelli Sauli
58Sinibaldo FieschiVia San Lorenzo 17Palazzo Sinibaldo Fieschi
59Orazio e G. Fran.co De FranceschiVia San Lorenzo 19Palazzo Orazio e Gio Francesco De Franceschi
60Giovanni Battista CenturioneVia San Lorenzo 5Palazzo Centurione-Gavotti
61Via San Lorenzo 8Palazzo Durazzo-Zoagli
62Via San Luca 4Palazzo Spinola di San Luca-Gentile
63Via San Luca 6Palazzo Spinola di San Luca
64Gerolamo PallaviciniVia XXV Aprile 12Palazzo Gerolamo Pallavicini
65Giovanni GaribaldiVico Carmagnola 7Palazzo Giovanni Garibaldi
66Vico dei Ragazzi 6Palazzo Sauli
67Vico del Fieno 2Palazzo Chiavari-Calcagno
68Brancaleone GrilloVico Delle Mele 6Palazzo Brancaleone Grillo
69Vico Falamonica 1Palazzo Doria-Centurione
70Nicola GrimaldiVico San Luca 2Palazzo Nicola Grimaldi
71Vico Scuole Pie 1Palazzo Cicala-Raggio
72Via Lomellini 15Palazzo Lomellini-Dodero

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 tenth 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
  • Via Garibaldi, Genoa
    Via Garibaldi, Genoa
  • Garden with statues and ninfeo Palazzo Podestà
    Garden with statues and ninfeo Palazzo Podestà
  • Hall of the Palazzo Carrega Cataldi, Via Garibaldi, Genoa
    Hall of the Palazzo Carrega Cataldi, Via Garibaldi, Genoa
  • Mirror gallery in the Royal Palace, via Balbi, Genoa
    Mirror gallery in the Royal Palace, via Balbi, Genoa
  • via Garibaldi, Genoa
    via Garibaldi, Genoa
  • via Garibaldi, Genoa
    via Garibaldi, Genoa
  • via Garibaldi, Genoa
    via Garibaldi, Genoa
  • via Garibaldi, Genoa
    via Garibaldi, Genoa
  • via Balbi, Genoa
    via Balbi, Genoa
  • via Balbi, Genoa
    via Balbi, Genoa
  • via Balbi, Genoa
    via Balbi, Genoa

See also

References
  1. "Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli". UNESCO.
  2. "Strada Nuova Museum".
  3. Quercioli, Mario (2008). I Palazzi dei Rolli Genova. Roma: Libreria dello Stato, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato. ISBN 9788824011433.
  4. Le Strade Nuove. Genova: SAGEP Editrice. 1986. p. 5.
  5. Ennio Poleggi (1998), Una reggia repubblicana. Atlante dei palazzi di Genova 1576-1664. Torino
  6. Pomella, Gioconda (2007). Guida Completa ai Palazzi dei Rolli. Genova: De Ferrari. p. 6. ISBN 9788871728155.
  7. "UNESCO WHS Genoa". UNESCO WHS.
  8. Fonte: irolli.it
  9. External links: Insight
  10. 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
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