Palazzo Reale (Genoa)

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

Royal Palace of Genoa
Palazzo Reale di Genova
View of the Palace
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	44.414861°N 8.926194°E / 44.414861; 8.926194
Construction started	1618
Completed	1655
Client	Balbi family, Durazzo family, House of Savoy
Website
www.palazzorealegenova.beniculturali.it
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
Region	Europe

History

Construction of the present structure began in 1618 for the Balbi family. From 1643 to 1655, work renewed under the direction of the architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino. In 1677, the palace was sold to the Durazzo Family, 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.

Gallery

• 
  Main facade of the palace
• 
  Galleria
• 
  Nymphaeum in the garden
• 
  Throne room
• 
  Gardens of the Palazzo Reale

See also

• List of Baroque residences
• Palazzi dei Rolli

External links

Media related to Palazzo Reale (Genoa) at Wikimedia Commons

• Official site of the Royal Palace