Genoa: <i>Le Strade Nuove</i> and the system of the<i> Palazzi dei Rolli</i> Historical Site

Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli is an urban ensemble in Genoa, Liguria, comprising a planned set of streets and a network of aristocratic palaces from the 16th and 17th centuries. It documents a distinctive system of private palaces used to host official guests.

The site centers on the straight, formally arranged streets and the richly decorated façades and interiors of the palaces that line them. Important civic palaces such as Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi are accessible and contain art collections, period rooms and civic displays.

The streets and palaces were developed by Genoese patrician families in the Renaissance and Baroque periods; the Rolli were official lists of private residences designated to accommodate state visitors. The system reflects the city’s mercantile wealth and urban planning of the early modern era.

The complex occupies a compact area within Genoa’s historic centre in Liguria, along the north-south axis of the Strade Nuove and adjacent streets within the old port city.

• Visitor facilities: Many palaces are open as museums; the former Rolli palaces display art, period interiors and civic collections in the historic city centre.

What to See#

• Le Strade Nuove (Via Garibaldi): The street known historically as Via Nuova and today as **Via Garibaldi**, laid out in the 16th century as part of a planned expansion and lined with aristocratic palaces.
• Palazzi dei Rolli (Palaces): A group of noble palaces that were listed in the Rolli system and used to host state visitors, several now house civic museums and collections.

The palaces lie in Genoa’s city center and are a 10-20 minute walk from Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole train stations. Many palazzi now operate as museums and are within easy walking distance of each other.

• Walk the Strade Nuove sequentially to see how noble palaces were arranged for public display-look for heraldic stones and carved family emblems.
• Visit the Palazzi dei Rolli museums to see interior frescoes and private staircases that betray the palaces' social performances.