The Doge's Palace (Italian: Palazzo Ducale) is a historical building in Genoa, northern Italy.
Once the home of the Doges of Genoa, it is now a museum and a centre for cultural events and arts exhibitions. It is situated in the heart of the city, with two different entrances and facades, the main one on Piazza Matteotti, and the second one on Piazza De Ferrari.
The first parts of the Palace were built between 1251 and 1275, during the flourishing period of the Republican history of Genoa, while the Torre Grimaldina (also named "Torre del Popolo" - Tower of the People) was completed in 1539.[1]
The Palace of the Doges was restored in 1992, in occasion of the celebrations of Christopher Columbus and the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.
The palace originated from the acquisition by the commune of Genoa of houses of the Doria between San Matteo and San Lorenzo churches (1291), after which the construction of an annexed new building was started. To this, in 1294, a tower of the Fieschi family was added. The palace was restored in the 1590s by Andrea Ceresola and, in the 17th century, received frescoes by Giovanni Battista Carlone (1655) and Domenico Fiasella, in the Ducal Chapel. In 1777 it was subject to a fire, and was subsequently rebuilt in Neoclassicist style.
On the main floor, the so called Piano Nobile, are the frescoed halls of the Maggior and Minor Consiglio, where many public events take place.
In July 2001 the Palace hosted the G8 Summit, which was attended by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom and United States.