Genoa lights up with Rolli Days in May. Here are the highlights of this edition

From May 3 to 5, Genoa ’s historic palaces become the protagonists of a new edition of Rolli Days, the twice-yearly event that opens the doors of the sumptuous mansions of the city’s ancient patriciate, many of which became part of the UNESCo World Heritage Site in 2006. For the spring 2019 edition, the theme will be telling the story of how the presence of the great families of the aristocracy, owners of the Palazzi dei Rolli, defined the “shape of the city” throughout its territory, from the ancient city center to the coast and valleys. The red thread will therefore be the grand narrative of the vicissitudes of the Genoese families, and it will unite the palaces in the city to the villas in the suburbs and, new this year, to the monuments of the Polcevera Valley: the valley long represented a strategic and vital road axis for maintaining the prosperity of the city of Genoa since the time of the Roman Via Postumia. Even today, the Polcevera Valley is a link between Genoa and northern Italy that has always been a key artery for the city, and with this edition of Rolli Days it confirms its centrality.

For the May 2019 edition, 25 palaces will be open to date. Some 10 monumental buildings, including villas and religious buildings, will also be open to visitors. A “special event” will be dedicated to theBoschetto Abbey, which will be exclusively open for visits after a long and important restoration work. The Cistercian monastic complex, born in the 14th century in a strategic position in the Polcevera Valley, has undergone many interventions over the centuries, desired by the families of the Genoese aristocracy, from the Grimaldi to the Spinola, the Doria, and the Lercari. Coming from the Abbey is the valuable ephemeral apparatus for the forty hours in “Genoa blue” cloth (an ancestor, albeit different, of modern denim), now entirely preserved at the Diocesan Museum of Genoa.

The Carthusian Monastery of St. Bartholomew in Rivarolo, a Carthusian complex built in 1297 and renovated in the 16th century, will also be open to visitors. Many of the chapels were acquired and decorated by important city families who made high-profile artistic commissions. Think of the magnificent black stone portals, the work of late 15th-century Ticinese sculptors, that adorned the Doria chapel and its twin, held by the Spinola family: removed during the 19th century, they are now part of the holdings of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. During the weekend, some villas in Sampierdarena and Cornigliano will also be open to the public. In fact, the same families of the Genoese aristocracy who owned the UNESCO World Heritage Palazzi dei Rolli had splendid villas built on the outskirts of the city, decorated by the same great artists who were active in the city, often overlooking the sea and embellished with refined gardens. Sovereigns, cardinals and ambassadors, passing through Genoa during the warm season, were also welcomed in these splendid residences.

In addition, as every year, visits to the structures open for Rolli Days will be facilitated by the presence of Scientific Divulators, who will illustrate the stories of Genoese art, culture and events that are enclosed among the frescoes, decorations and extraordinary architecture open to the public. In fact, the choice of Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura, the University of Genoa and the City of Genoa (i.e., the promoters of the initiative) is to enhance the professionalism and skills of young scholars, selected through a special call for applications, creating an opportunity for work and experience that recognizes them as cultural professionals. At the February 15 deadline, more than 1,000 young scholars applied from all over Italy to be able to tell the story of Genoa’s UNESCO heritage. Guided tours led by licensed tour guides will also be available as usual, on specific itineraries that will offer opportunities for in-depth The tours will soon be available for purchase online at www.visitgenoa.it.

Rolli Days Genova 2019 is an event promoted and sponsored by the Municipality of Genoa, Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura, Genoa Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities - Regional Secretariat of Liguria, Rolli Association of the Genoese Republic; in collaboration with the University of Genoa (School of Humanities, Polytechnic School - Department of Sciences for Architecture). Sponsors of this edition of Rolli Days Genova: Iren Group and Metinvest Trametal SpA. Radio Montecarlo is Media partner of the city of Genoa. For all information you can visit www.visitgenoa.it, reference site for Rolli Days.

Pictured, decorative apparatus of Palazzo Gio. Battista Centurione. Ph. Credit C. Severino

Genoa lights up with Rolli Days in May. Here are the highlights of this edition

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