Twice a year, Genoa opens the doors of its Palazzi dei Rolli — a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of 42 Renaissance and Baroque palaces built by Genoa’s wealthiest families. The Rolli Days weekend lets you step inside these normally private residences, many with original frescoes, marble staircases, and rooftop gardens that rival anything in Florence or Rome.

The Rolli System

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Genoa required its noble families to maintain palaces suitable for hosting visiting dignitaries. Each palace was graded (the “rollo”) from 1 to 3 based on its grandeur — the highest tier was reserved for popes, cardinals, and princes. The system created one of Europe’s densest concentrations of aristocratic architecture, and most of it survives intact.

Must-See Palaces

Palazzo Rosso — Van Dyck portraits and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city
Palazzo Bianco — Caravaggio’s Ecce Homo and an exceptional Flemish collection
Palazzo Doria Tursi — Paganini’s violin and the city’s municipal art collection
Palazzo Reale — the royal palace with its Hall of Mirrors and hanging gardens
Palazzo Spinola — perfectly preserved 16th-century noble residence, still furnished

Practical Info

All palaces are free to enter during Rolli Days.
Guided tours in English run at select palaces — check the official program.
Pick up a map at the tourist office in Via Garibaldi.
Expect queues at Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Reale — arrive early (10:00).
Combine with a pesto lunch at one of the historic centre’s trattorias.

The fall edition is less crowded than the spring one and pairs beautifully with autumn exploration of Genoa, when the city is at its most atmospheric.