Palazzo Reale (Genoa)
The Palazzo Reale is a historical palace in the Italian city of Genoa .
Its premises are now used as an art gallery . With its adjoining park , it is considered one of the most impressive museums in the city.
The building is located on Via Balbi , not far from the university headquarters and Genova Principe train station . The architecture of the palace goes back to the 16th-17th centuries. Century and has preserved its historical treasures, starting with the frescoes , to the stucco work , to the paintings and the furniture of that time.
history
The palazzo was built in 1618-20 for Stefano and Gio Francesco Balbi from a Genoese patrician family and expanded in 1643-55 by the architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino. In 1645 Francesco Maria Balbi had the garden laid out. In 1677 the Balbi sold it to the Durazzo family . This involved neighboring properties from 1685–94 and had the portal, atrium and stairwells redesigned by the Ticino architect Carlo Fontana, as well as adding to the converted courtyard and redesigning the garden and facade facing Via Prè. In this way an impressive scenic ensemble was created. The Teatro del Falcone , which had existed for a number of years, was bought.
In 1823 the heirs sold the palace to the Royal House of Savoy , which made it their official residence in the city. It commissioned Michele Canzio to furnish a throne room, ballroom and audience room. In 1919 the palace became state property. A building on the coast, called "Ponte Reale", which connected the palace with the port, was demolished in 1964 when the Via Gramsci was turned into an elevated road.
The art gallery
The palace has largely preserved the original furniture of its long history. In the halls you can see Genoese, Piedmontese and French furniture from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The frescoes include works by Valerio Castello and Andrea Sighizzi ( La Fama dei Balbi ), Angelo Michele Colonna and Agostino Mitelli ( Spring drives away winter ) and Giovanni Battista Carlone ( Manda Giustizia sulla Terra ).
Over 200 paintings are on display on the two floors , from artists from Genoese, such as Bernardo Strozzi , Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione , Giovanni Battista Gaulli and Domenico Fiasella to the masters Bassano , Tintoretto , Luca Giordano , Anthonis van Dyck , Ferdinand Voet and Guercino .
Finally, the visitor is free to view a collection of sculptures. Among the pieces, both antique and modern, there are sculptures by the baroque artist Filippo Parodi .
Web links
- Official homepage (Italian, English)
- Homepage of the Palazzo Reale (Italian)
Coordinates: 44 ° 24 ′ 53.5 " N , 8 ° 55 ′ 34.3" E