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Search for the town, the city, the area where you want to go and consult the contents of VisitItaly
Search for the town, the city, the area where you want to go and consult the contents of VisitItaly
VISITITALY WHAT TO SEE CASTLES, PALACES AND MANSIONS LIGURIA GENOA

Castles of Genoa, palaces and mansions

Visititaly recommends the most important castles, palaces and noble residences of Genoa and surrounding area, the proposals consider a maximum distance of about 30 km from the town. In the territory around Genoa a dense network of manors built in strategic positions branches off and dominate the surrounding valleys, some can be visited, others still used as private homes, and still others are ruins bearing witness to a glorious past. To visit the castles, fortresses and all places related to culture that characterize Genoa, to receive detailed information on opening hours, ticket costs and any guided tours, please consult the official website of the building. If you have visited a castle and wouldlike to share your experience with others, please report it here!

Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa del Principe

The Villa del Principe is located in the center of the city and is an ancient three-storey building. Previously it was the private residence of Prince Admiral Andrea Doria, today it is one of the city's main historic buildings. The rooms are furnished with furniture from the period of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, instead the gallery exhibits a cycle of tapestries from the sixteenth century. Observing the interior of the palace, we notice the influence of Spanish art, due to economic and political relations with Spain.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Forte Puin

Fort Puin is located in the city of Genoa and dates back to the early nineteenth century, it was built between 1815 and 1830, with the main purpose of defending the northern part of the city. Its construction anticipates the other strong neighbors of the area. Thanks to a restoration that dates back to the 60s, today it is in excellent state of preservation and can be visited to the public. The Fort is the property of the State Property of the Municipality of Genoa.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Forte Richelieu

Fort Richelieu was raised in the second half of the 18th century by the Spanish engineer Jacque de Sicre. On 16 November 1747 the fort took the name of Marshal Richelieu and work began on the construction of the complex, which immediately became a strategic point for the defense of Genoa. In the 19th century, during French rule, the structure of the fort was enlarged. The property has a drawbridge at the entrance and a central courtyard, where the two-story barracks overlook.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Podestà

Palazzo Podestà also known as Palazzo Lomellini is located in the historic center of Genoa. It was built between 1559 and 1565 by Giovanni Battista Castello, who belonged to one of the most powerful families in the city. The building's prospectus is decorated with stucco, the portal is in marble with Doric columns and the inscription “SAPIENTIA AEDIFICABITUR DOMUS” (the house will be built wisely). Inside, the frescoes by B. Parodi, Lorenzo De Ferrari and Giacomo Boni are preserved.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Forte Santa Tecla

The Fort of Santa Tecla was built by the engineer Jacques De Sicre in 1747, on the basis where the church of Santa Tecla stood, from which it takes its name. The fort was part of the fortification work of the city of Genoa, and its structure is imposing and majestic. There is, with a courtyard, where stands the barracks divided into three floors. On the upper floors are the accommodations and a passage leading to the southern ramparts used as warehouses.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Balbi Senarega

Palazzo Balbi-Senarega is located in the historic center of Genoa and was founded by two brothers Giacomo and Pantaleo Balvo. The building contains two apartments located one above the other in order to make more effective use of the space. Baroque art is distinguished above all from the decorations of the second floor Nobile and from the garden of the building characterized by the wide Baroque spatiality and the bright colonnades. Today, the building is home to the departments of the University of Genoa.

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