The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), also known as the Palazzo Stefano Balbi, is an impressive aristocratic residence in Genoa. See a beautiful building that belonged to several powerful Italian dynasties and marvel at the architectural and artistic gems preserved in its sumptuous interior.
The history of the Royal Palace dates back to the 17th century, when Stefano Balbi decided to create an imposing building opposite the church of San Carlo. In the 14th century, the Balbi family were humble craftsmen in the Italian valley of Val Polcevera, but during the 15th and 16th centuries they became very wealthy thanks to the silk trade. They finally made the crucial switch from textile merchants to financiers and became one of the most important families in the city. Enter their fantastic palace, built by the Italian architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino.
Go to the east wing of the palazzo, built by the Durazzo Family around the year 1679. Eugenio Durazzo acquired the building and later extended it and changed its original appearance. Wander inside the palace to find beautiful original furniture and decoration. Admire vaults and galleries decorated with frescoes by some of the most important artists of the time, such as the Baroque painters Valerio Castello and Giovanni Battista Carlone. You’ll also find impressive canvases and masterpieces by Tintoretto, Luca Giordano, Sir Anthony van Dyck and several other famous painters.
See the changes that Eugenio Durazzo’s nephew did to the Royal Palace during the first half of the 18th century. It was during this period that the building assumed the shape and layout still partially visible today, with the construction of the two staircases and the large U-shaped terrace. Find out more about the Galleria degli Specchi (Hall of Mirrors), inspired by the spectacular Galerie des Glaces in the Palace of Versailles.
Visit the Royal Palace and enjoy the beauty of one of Genoa’s largest palazzi from the 17th and 18th centuries.
