Palazzo Doria and the public lodging system of Genoa

The Palazzo Doria, also known as Palazzo Andrea e Gio. Batta Spinola, is a palace located in Via Garibaldi in the historical center of Genoa. It was one of the 163 Palazzi dei Rolli of Genoa, which were selected private residences where notable guests of the Republic of Genoa were hosted during State visits. On 13 July 2006, it was included in the list of 42 palaces that form the UNESCO World Heritage Site Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli.

The Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici di Genova were official lists of private palaces and mansions belonging to the most distinguished Genoese families. If chosen through a public lottery, these families were obliged to host the most notable visitors during their State visits on behalf of the Government. Later, these palaces hosted many famous visitors to Genoa during their Grand Tour, a cultural itinerary around Italy.

Construction of the palace began in 1563 for the brothers Giambattista and Andrea Spinola. While Giovan Battista Castello was believed to be the main architect until recently, 1968 research documented Bernardino Cantone as the chief architect and building master. Today, construction is primarily attributed to Cantone, while the fireplace on the piano nobile and the courtyard remain attributed to Castello. The palace was purchased by Gio. Batta Spinola and passed to the Doria family in 1723, who maintained the structure with routine repairs and the addition of a notable lantern in the atrium.

Palazzo Doria was the only palace in Strada Nuova to be seriously damaged by the French naval bombing in 1684. This required a serious renovation completed by architect Gio. Antonio Ricca, who added a story and redesigned the façade. However, the 17th-century restoration did not alter the original sequence of atrium, courtyard, and garden planned by Castello. Today, the palace remains the property of the Doria family and has a residential use, with only the exterior and limited internal areas open to the public.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons