Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola

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. Later, these palaces hosted many famous visitors to Genoa during their Grand Tour, a cultural itinerary around Italy

History

The construction of the palace was commissioned in 1558 by Angelo Giovanni Spinola, Ambassador of the Republic of Genoa to Spain and banker in Toledo to Emperor Charles V. The palace was completed in 1576 by his son Giulio, who also ordered in 1580 the excavation of part of the hill behind the palace to expand it with a courtyard and a garden. The building was designed by the architect Giovanni Ponzello. In 1919, the palace was sold to the bank Crédit Commercial de France and was converted into an office building. In 1926, it passed to the Banca d'America e d'Italia and now belongs to Deutsche Bank.

The facade of the palace is decorated with frescoes executed by the Calvi brothers, possibly together with Lazzaro Tavarone. The frescoes depict members of the House of Spinola dressed as Roman condottieri. A staircase decorated by grotesque frescoes leads to the upper floor, decorated with frescoes by Andrea Semino, Bernardo Castello and Lazzaro Tavarone. A fresco attributed to Semino shows the building in its original state, as viewed from a mountain.