“The Sea, Genoa, and its Palaces”
2023 Edition from April 28- May 1
Now in its 15th year, the event known as “Rolli Days” will once again take place in the Ligurian city of Genoa. Over 30 palaces and historical buildings will be open to the public. Le Strade Nuove e il Sistema dei Palazzi dei Rolli became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
If you’re wondering what “Rolli” is, the history goes back to the year 1576 when the Republic of Genoa’s Senate created the Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici, or a list of the city’s aristocratic buildings at the time.
Mostly for political reasons, it wasn’t feasible to receive heads of state, diplomats, or aristocrats at the Ducal Palace and so the owners of the so-called Palazzi Rolli were obligated to host them in their private residences.
This hospitality model that was created in Genoa was unique and saw the likes of artists such as Peter Paul Rubens and many other illustrious guests. Rubens was so inspired by their beauty that he published a volume about Genoa, making it known throughout Europe.
This event is by reservation only and by first-come first-serve. Details about all of the special openings as well as reservations can be found on the website Visit Genoa (Italian only).
Photo copyrights: (cover) Sailko, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (gallery from left to right) Mazzucco S. Maurizio, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Michel Ravassard, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons; Michel Ravassard, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons
