Palazzo Reale (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°24′53″N 8°55′34″E / 44.414861°N 8.926194°E / 44.414861; 8.926194Coordinates: 44°24′53″N 8°55′34″E / 44.414861°N 8.926194°E / 44.414861; 8.926194
Construction started 1618
Completed 1655
Client Balbi family, Durazzo family, House of Savoy
Website
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
State Party Italy
Region Europe

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

History

Construction of the present structure began in 1618 for the Balbi family. From 1643-1655, 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.

See also

References

    Media related to Palazzo Reale (Genoa) at Wikimedia Commons

    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.