Palazzo Gio Battista 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 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 ground where the palace is located was purchased in an auction in 1551 by Constantino Gentile, who later sold it for double the price to the brothers Giambattista and Andrea Spinola, who commissioned the construction of the palace in 1563. In 1566, Andrea passed his share of ownership to his brother Giambattista and the construction continued at a high pace, so that in 1567 the construction was almost completed.

Up to recently, Giovan Battista Castello was believed to be the main architect. In 1968, however, Bernardino Cantone was documented as chief architect and building master of the palace. Today its construction is primarily attributed to Cantone, while the fireplace on the piano nobile and the courtyard remain attributed to Castello. The piano nobile features the fresco Legate of Obertus Spinola to Frederik I Barbarossa by Andrea Semino and frescoes by Luca Cambiasi.

Palazzo Doria was the only palace in Strada Nuova to be seriously damaged by the French naval bombing in 1684, which required a serious renovation, completed by architect Gio. Antonio Ricca with the adding of a story and the redesign of the façade. However, the 17th-century restoration did not alter the original sequence of atrium, courtyard and garden planned by Castello.

The palace was purchased by Gio. Batta Spinola, then it passed to the Doria family in 1723. The Dorias did not see the need for a refurbishing of the palace, beyond routine repairs and the addition of a notable lantern in the atrium with the coat of arms of the Doria family.