Palazzo Pallavicini-Cambiaso (Pallavicini-Cambiaso Palace), Genoa
Pallavicini-Cambiaso Palace is a Renaissance palace, commissioned in 1558 by Agostino Pallavicini, who served as Genoa鈥檚 ambassador to the Spanish court. It was the very first grand palace to open onto the prestigious street, setting the tone for the majestic buildings to follow.
Designed by architect Bernardino Cantone, the palace features a refined ashlar fa莽ade of rusticated gray stone and white marble trim. Its Mannerist portal, decorated with carved ox skulls (bucrania), and an 18th-century devotional niche mark the entrance. In 1592, it hosted Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga of Mantua, confirming its high status among Genoa鈥檚 ruling families.
Inside, the noble floor is adorned with frescoes that highlight Genoa鈥檚 artistic heritage. Visitors can admire The Rape of the Sabines in the reception room and the History of Cupid and Psyche in the grand hall鈥攂oth masterful creations by Andrea and Ottavio Semino, evoking the humanistic and mythological tastes of the era. Moreover, in the early 1600s, Niccol貌 Pallavicini, Agostino鈥檚 son, hosted Peter Paul Rubens here and commissioned the painter鈥檚 portrait of himself and his wife鈥攃elebrating the palace鈥檚 link to artistic innovation.
Today, the Pallavicini-Cambiaso Palace remains under the ownership of a prominent financial institution, but it continues to shine as a defining feature of the Palaces of the Rolli and the UNESCO-listed New Streets complex. While not regularly open for walkthrough visits, its majestic fa莽ade can be admired from the street, and part of its legacy lives on in Rubens鈥檚 1622 engravings.
Designed by architect Bernardino Cantone, the palace features a refined ashlar fa莽ade of rusticated gray stone and white marble trim. Its Mannerist portal, decorated with carved ox skulls (bucrania), and an 18th-century devotional niche mark the entrance. In 1592, it hosted Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga of Mantua, confirming its high status among Genoa鈥檚 ruling families.
Inside, the noble floor is adorned with frescoes that highlight Genoa鈥檚 artistic heritage. Visitors can admire The Rape of the Sabines in the reception room and the History of Cupid and Psyche in the grand hall鈥攂oth masterful creations by Andrea and Ottavio Semino, evoking the humanistic and mythological tastes of the era. Moreover, in the early 1600s, Niccol貌 Pallavicini, Agostino鈥檚 son, hosted Peter Paul Rubens here and commissioned the painter鈥檚 portrait of himself and his wife鈥攃elebrating the palace鈥檚 link to artistic innovation.
Today, the Pallavicini-Cambiaso Palace remains under the ownership of a prominent financial institution, but it continues to shine as a defining feature of the Palaces of the Rolli and the UNESCO-listed New Streets complex. While not regularly open for walkthrough visits, its majestic fa莽ade can be admired from the street, and part of its legacy lives on in Rubens鈥檚 1622 engravings.
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Palazzo Pallavicini-Cambiaso (Pallavicini-Cambiaso Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palazzo Pallavicini-Cambiaso (Pallavicini-Cambiaso Palace)
Sight Location: Genoa, Italy (See walking tours in Genoa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Genoa, Italy (See walking tours in Genoa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Genoa, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Genoa
Creating your own self-guided walk in Genoa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Genoa Introduction Walking Tour
Petrarch, an Italian poet of the early Renaissance known as the "father of humanism," called Genoa "La Superba" (The Proud One). Genoa is deservedly proud of her maritime glory and unique architecture.
From the 11th century until the late 18th century, the city became a leading economic and military power in Europe. It was one of the wealthiest cities in the world through... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
From the 11th century until the late 18th century, the city became a leading economic and military power in Europe. It was one of the wealthiest cities in the world through... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Rolli Palaces Walking Tour
The Rolli di Genova 鈥� or, more precisely, the Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici di Genova (Italian for "Lists of the public lodgings of Genoa") 鈥� were first established in the Republic of Genoa in 1576. Originally, these official lists included private palaces and mansions belonging to the most distinguished local families, which - if chosen through a public lottery - were obliged... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles