Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola (Angelo Giovanni Spinola Palace), Genoa
Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola is yet another palace in Via Garibaldi, one of the original 163 Palazzi dei Rolli of Genoa established in 1576.
The construction of the palace was commissioned in 1558 by Angelo Giovanni Spinola, Ambassador of the Republic of Genoa to Spain, who also served as Toledo banker to Emperor Charles V. The palace was completed in 1576 by his son Giulio; in 1580 he ordered excavation of part of the hill behind the building in order to expand it with a courtyard and garden. The project was designed by architect Giovanni Ponzello.
The building has a monumental character due to its exceptionally high, sizeable rooms, much as to the solemnity of the path leading from the porch to the lodge patio, and further to the upper loggia and salon floor.
The façade of the palace is decorated with frescoes executed by Calvi brothers, possibly together with Lazzaro Tavarone. They depict members of the House of Spinola dressed as Roman condottieri (mercenaries). 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.
The decorative themes are all inspired by the ambitiously grandiose epic Livy character, a Roman historian who authored a monumental history of Rome and the Romans.
In 1919, the palace was sold to the bank Crédit Commercial de France and was converted into office building. In 1926, it was taken over by the Banca d'America e d'Italia. Today it belongs to Deutsche Bank, with limited access to the public.
The construction of the palace was commissioned in 1558 by Angelo Giovanni Spinola, Ambassador of the Republic of Genoa to Spain, who also served as Toledo banker to Emperor Charles V. The palace was completed in 1576 by his son Giulio; in 1580 he ordered excavation of part of the hill behind the building in order to expand it with a courtyard and garden. The project was designed by architect Giovanni Ponzello.
The building has a monumental character due to its exceptionally high, sizeable rooms, much as to the solemnity of the path leading from the porch to the lodge patio, and further to the upper loggia and salon floor.
The façade of the palace is decorated with frescoes executed by Calvi brothers, possibly together with Lazzaro Tavarone. They depict members of the House of Spinola dressed as Roman condottieri (mercenaries). 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.
The decorative themes are all inspired by the ambitiously grandiose epic Livy character, a Roman historian who authored a monumental history of Rome and the Romans.
In 1919, the palace was sold to the bank Crédit Commercial de France and was converted into office building. In 1926, it was taken over by the Banca d'America e d'Italia. Today it belongs to Deutsche Bank, with limited access to the public.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Genoa. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola (Angelo Giovanni Spinola Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola (Angelo Giovanni Spinola Palace)
Sight Location: Genoa, Italy (See walking tours in Genoa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Genoa, Italy (See walking tours in Genoa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Genoa, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Genoa
Creating your own self-guided walk in Genoa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rolli Palaces Walking Tour
The Rolli di Genova – or, more precisely, the Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici di Genova (Italian for "Lists of the public lodgings of Genoa") – were first established in the Republic of Genoa in 1576. Originally, these official lists included private palaces and mansions belonging to the most distinguished local families, which - if chosen through a public lottery - were obliged... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Genoa Introduction Walking Tour
Petrarch, an Italian poet of the early Renaissance known as the "father of humanism," called Genoa "La Superba" (The Proud One). Genoa is deservedly proud of her maritime glory and unique architecture.
From the 11th century until the late 18th century, the city became a leading economic and military power in Europe. It was one of the wealthiest cities in the world through... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
From the 11th century until the late 18th century, the city became a leading economic and military power in Europe. It was one of the wealthiest cities in the world through... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles