Castello d'Albertis (Albertis Castle), Genoa

The Albertis Castle stands on Montegalletto hill, built atop 13th- and 16th-century fortifications and shaped by the eclectic vision of Captain Enrico Alberto d’Albertis. Designed in a blend of neo-Gothic and Hispano-Moorish styles, the castle reflects the captain’s passion for far-reaching exploration and cultural exchange. The grounds offer panoramic views across Genoa and the Ligurian coastline, with terraced gardens surrounding the structure and original stonework still integrated into the building’s foundation.

Inside, the Museum of World Cultures presents a vast collection of ethnographic and archaeological materials gathered by both Enrico and Luigi Maria d’Albertis during travels across Africa, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia. Exhibits range from pre-Columbian pottery and Sudanese weapons to traditional musical instruments and ceremonial clothing made from buffalo and deer hide. A dedicated section known as the “Chambers of Wonder” showcases more personal items-nautical instruments, ship models, photographs, and volumes from d’Albertis’s private library. The experience traces both the collector’s biography and the global cultures he sought to document.