Palazzi dei Rolli

Genoa had no royal court, so from 1576 the Republic drew up rolli, official lists of private palaces graded by size and grandeur, and when a pope, cardinal or ambassador arrived a lottery decided which household would host them; refusing was not an option. Owners therefore built to impress, and the Strada Nuova, now Via Garibaldi, became a street of palaces built almost simultaneously with frescoed halls, hanging gardens and staircases climbing the slope. Forty-two of them were listed by UNESCO in 2006. Three on Via Garibaldi are now public museums, and others open to visitors on the Rolli Days weekends held twice a year.

What you actually see

• Via Garibaldi - a street built entirely of competing palaces.
• The lottery system - the lists that forced private houses to host guests.
• The museum palaces - Rosso, Bianco and Doria Tursi open year-round.
• The Rolli Days - twice-yearly weekends opening private interiors.

When to go

Year-round for the three museum palaces; the Rolli Days weekends in spring and autumn are the only chance to enter many of the others and require booking.

Honest expectations

Most of the palaces are private and closed except on Rolli Days, which book out fast. The three museums are open normally but close Mondays.

Nearby

Boccadasse lies east along the shore; the old port is below.