The palace remained in the possession of the House of Savoy until 1919, when it was donated to the Italian state.
The building's art gallery contains the 'Crucifixion' by Anthony van Dyck, a Dutch master who spent significant time in Genoa.
The hanging garden was expanded in the 19th century to offer panoramic views over the old port area.
The interior layout preserves the sequence of 'rooms of state' exactly as they were used for royal receptions.
The palace contains a rare collection of 18th-century Genoese furniture alongside imported French decorative arts.
The Royal Palace Museum (Palazzo Reale) is a 17th-century aristocratic residence in Genoa that displays original Baroque and Rococo interiors. Originally commissioned by the Balbi family and later acquired by the House of Savoy, the site serves as both a museum and a state archive. It houses an extensive collection of 17th-century art, including works by Van Dyck, Tintoretto, and Strozzi. Visitors can tour the Hall of Mirrors, which is modeled after the French style, and the opulent Throne Room. The palace also features a historic hanging garden that connects the residential wings to the loggia. Most rooms retain their original stucco work, frescoes, and period furniture. The building is a primary example of Genoese luxury architecture and domestic decor from the late Baroque period.
The Hall of Mirrors, specifically capturing the alignment of the gold-leaf carvings and ceiling frescoes.
Check the upper floors first, as many visitors focus heavily on the main entrance level.
Use the provided information sheets in each room to identify the specific fresco artists, as they are not always clearly labeled.
Look out the windows in the Hall of Mirrors for an elevated view of the historic city architecture.
Do not mistake the modern port buildings for part of the historic palace complex.
Closed on Mondays.
No flash photography is permitted inside the frescoed halls. Large bags must be left in the provided lockers.
