PALAZZO REALE MUSEUM
Museum offering a beautiful view of the port and revealing private gardens.
One of the city's most beautiful buildings, Palazzo Balbi was once home to the Balbi and Durazzo families, before becoming the royal residence of the Savoy family after Genoa became part of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. The Balbi family, wealthy silk merchants, began construction in the mid-17th century. As soon as you enter, a beautiful sedan chair sets the tone. The tour continues through a succession of salons where everything is gilt, stucco and red velvet. A marvelous collection of masterpieces decorates the ensemble: paintings by Veronese, Titian, Van Dyck (including the sublime full-length portrait of Catherine Balbi Durazzo), Tintoretto, Rembrandt, Rubens..., as well as Baroque sculptures, oriental tapestries and ceramics, frescoes, gilding, marble, stucco and panelling complete the collection. Impressive in its monumentality, the palace, open like a theater stage facing the sea, perfectly reflects the interior of an 18th-century aristocratic residence. Notable rooms include the Salon de la Paix, the Veronese Room and the Throne Room, with its slightly heavy 19th-century decor. More unusual is the private confessional in the Queen's bedroom. But the highlight of the show is undoubtedly the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, inspired by the one in Versailles. Last but not least, don't miss sunbathing on the outdoor terrace, which offers a beautiful view of the harbor and reveals private gardens and a lovely mosaic parterre.
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