Palazzo Doria Spinola (Doria Spinola Palace), Genoa

Doria Spinola Palace is a magnificent Renaissance palace commissioned in 1541 by Antonio Doria, a cousin of the famous admiral Andrea Doria. The palace was later passed to the Spinola family, from which it takes its combined name. As one of the prestigious “Rolli” palaces, it hosted distinguished guests during the heyday of the Republic of Genoa, a testament to its status and opulent design.

The palace is a key part of the “Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli” UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2006 for its architectural and historical significance. Its façade features an elegant marble portal framed by statues and topped with the Doria-Spinola coat of arms. Behind this lies a square-plan entrance courtyard with double loggias, frescoed historied walls, and intricate stucco.

Inside, visitors can glimpse lavish rooms adorned with frescoes and elaborate decorations, including a hall inspired by the Vatican Gallery of Maps, celebrating the Doria family's naval and strategic achievements. Though today the palace primarily houses government offices-serving as Genoa’s Prefecture-select areas remain open to the public.