Palazzo Spinola – Galleria Nazionale della Liguria

About the museum

The palace was built at the end of the 16th century by the nobleman Francesco Grimaldi on existing medieval structures, and in 1599 it entered the Rolli system, the list of Genoese residences designated to host visiting ambassadors and foreign aristocrats. In the 17th century it passed to the Pallavicino family and then, by inheritance, to the Spinola family, who lived there until the 20th century.

In 1958 the brothers Franco and Paolo Spinola, who had no descendants, donated the palace and its collections to the Italian State, on the advice of the superintendent Pasquale Rotondi. The following year the Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Spinola was founded, preserving the furnishings and picture collections of the owning families in the rooms of the noble floors.

The route combines two aspects: the two noble floors remain a historic residence with salons, drawing rooms, galleries of mirrors and historic kitchens, while the third and fourth floors house the Galleria Nazionale della Liguria, with paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and prints from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

The museum belongs, together with Palazzo Reale, to the Musei Nazionali di Genova.

Highlights

• Salone on the first and second noble floors
• Gallery of mirrors and 18th-century drawing rooms
• Historic kitchens
• Galleria Nazionale della Liguria with paintings and sculptures
• Sala del Seicento and Sala del Rinascimento
• Rolli of Genoa, UNESCO heritage

Permanent exhibitions

• Palazzo Spinola, la collezione storica – Historic residence with salons, drawing rooms, galleries of mirrors and historic kitchens on the two noble floors.
• Galleria Nazionale della Liguria – Paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and prints from the Renaissance to the 20th century on the upper floors.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Musei Nazionali di Genova

Visitors per year

approx. 31,136

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (Domenica al museo).

The single ticket at €12 is valid for Palazzo Spinola and the Galleria Nazionale della Liguria as well as Palazzo Reale; it can be used on different days within one year of issue and does not require a reservation. Also free for teachers with certification and holders of the annual card of the Musei Nazionali di Genova. During the Rolli Days the single ticket is not valid and a special ticket applies. The Musei Nazionali di Genova are part of the Genova Museum Card and Genova City Pass circuits.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The two noble floors and the third floor with the Galleria Nazionale della Liguria can be reached by lift. The Appartamento del Marchese (first mezzanine), the historic kitchens (second mezzanine) and the sections on the fourth floor are not served by the lift. The toilets on the ground floor are accessible with a platform lift. The website offers videos in LIS and an AAC social story. Guide dogs are admitted; other animals only if small and in a carrier.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The website offers a “Dida kids” area and family activities at the museum.

Getting there & parking

The palace is in the historic centre, in Piazza di Pellicceria.

Amenities & dining

Eating and drinking are not allowed along the museum route.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit