{"id":616,"date":"2019-05-09T13:13:06","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T13:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/?p=616"},"modified":"2019-05-09T13:13:06","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T13:13:06","slug":"le-strade-nuove-and-palazzi-dei-rolli-system-in-genoa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/2019\/05\/09\/le-strade-nuove-and-palazzi-dei-rolli-system-in-genoa\/","title":{"rendered":"Le Strade Nuove & Palazzi dei Rolli system in Genoa"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a9Bigstock.com\/johannes86<\/p><\/div>\n

The Republic of Genoa hit its absolute peak in the 16th<\/sup> and 17th<\/sup> century. Major patrician families furthered trade relations achieving unprecedented wealth to the benefit of the entire region. In order to advertise this affluence, nobility and patricians established Le Strade Nuove (\u201cNew Streets\u201d) which had a system of magnificent noble palaces and abundant patrician houses, the so-called Palazzi dei Rolli, built around them. These architectural masterpieces in Renaissance and baroque style continue to fascinate to this very day and were deservedly elevated to UNESCO World Heritage status in 2006.<\/p>\n

A revolutionary road project<\/strong><\/p>\n

Around mid-16th<\/sup> century the Republic of Genoa experienced a genuine boom. In order to give their world-spanning power a representative face, the construction of buildings for state visit receptions was furthered. Le Strade Nuove was to become the city\u2019s wealthiest district and place of residence for the most important families. Architectural elements from the Renaissance and baroque period were chosen for the individual palaces. They gave -and give \u2013 the Strade Nuove a consistent yet highly diverse look of fully individual buildings that appear architecturally connected to one another despite obvious stylistic differences and variations. As weird and contradictory as it sounds, it actually works very well.<\/p>\n

But why are the palaces of this revolutionary road project \u2013 the UNESCO calls it the successful commencement of modern, urban architecture in Europe \u2013 actually called Palazzi dei Rolli? \u201cRolli\u201d were official lists of structures for holding receptions for the above-mentioned state visits. First compiled in 1576, the palazzi were grouped into different \u201cBussoli\u201d, which can be compared to today\u2019s star ratings in the hotel sector. The more magnificent a palace, the higher its Bussoli rating.<\/p>\n

3 streets, 42 palaces, one World Heritage Site<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Palazzi

\u00a9Bigstock.com\/johannes86<\/p><\/div>\n

Today\u2019s World Heritage Site doesn\u2019t include all palaces of Le Strade Nuove, consisting of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, Via Balbi and Via Cairoli, by a long shot. Effectively, \u201conly\u201d 42 of the 163 Palazzi dei Rolli, mostly dating back to the late 16th<\/sup> and early 17th<\/sup> century, made it onto the list. They stand for extraordinary diversity in architectural realization of a joint idea. Many are now used as museums and public buildings while others remain private residences.<\/p>\n

Listing and describing all 42 palaces would be a bit much. After all, you\u2019re only interested in the absolute highlights of these splendid roads, right? We\u2019ve compiled some of our favourites and must-sees for you.<\/p>\n

The Strada Nuova Museums<\/strong><\/p>\n

Several glorious palaces await you while walking along Via Garibaldi, three of which are home to stunning art galleries. The so-called Strada Nuova Museums invite you on a journey back in time diving into the fascinating history of the Republic of Genoa displaying artistic highlights of the Genoese school of painting as well as the most famous European painters from the 12th<\/sup> to the 18th<\/sup> century. Don\u2019t miss out on these almost magical places!<\/p>\n

Palazzo Rosso<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an odd one: This palace built in 1675 was not one of the original 163 Palazzi dei Rolli, but it still became a World Heritage Site. You\u2019ll understand this decision immediately when looking at the imposing red fa\u00e7ade with a marble perron. One of Genoa\u2019s most important art galleries is hidden behind it. Works by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, Albrecht D\u00fcrer, Guido Reni, Anthonis van Dyck and Paolo Caliari line the ostentatious halls. Some of the original mosaic floors and wall frescoes were unfortunately destroyed during an air raid in World War II, but that doesn\u2019t affect the glory and splendour of this palace one bit.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Bianco<\/strong><\/p>\n

Originally named Palazzo Luca Grimaldi after its constructor, this palace, which was bequeathed to the city in 1899, now acts as a well-deserved home to some of the most significant Genoese painters of the 17th<\/sup> and 18th<\/sup> century, such as Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Alessandro Magnasco and Bernardo Strozzi. Other milestones of the European painting world from the 12th<\/sup> to 17th<\/sup> century were collected from several private collections to be displayed here. See famous works by Rubens and van Dyck, Caravaggio, Paolo Veronese, Hans Memling, Filippino Lippi and many more.<\/p>\n

Palazzo Doria Tursi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most imposing palace in Via Garibaldi was built on three lots of land in 1565 and expanded by another two loggias in 1597. The uniqueness of this building even lead to erroneous attributions to Michelangelo, for example by famous French author Alexandre Dumas (\u201cThe Three Musketeers\u201d, \u201cThe Count of Monte Cristo\u201d). Mayoral assembly halls aside, you\u2019ll find a continuation of the Palazzo Bianco art gallery inside this palace with objects of arts like Paganini\u2019s legendary violin plus coins, weights and measures dating back to the Republic of Genoa.<\/p>\n

Other palaces worth seeing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another 39 UNESCO Rolli palaces along three roads await you beyond the three museum palazzi in Via Garibaldi. Where to start, where to go? Your ZAINOO experts have a few suggestions at hand:<\/p>\n