Via Garibaldi – Strade Nuove

Overview

Via Garibaldi (formerly Strada Nuova) is a UNESCO World Heritage street created in the mid-16th century as a showcase for Genoa's wealthiest banking families. Just 250 metres long but lined with 13 magnificent Renaissance and Baroque palaces, it represents one of the finest concentrations of aristocratic architecture in Europe.

Highlights

• Palazzo Rosso, Bianco & Tursi: The three 'Musei di Strada Nuova' house art collections spanning Van Dyck, Veronese, and Paganini's personal violin.
• Architectural unity: Despite different architects, the palaces share a harmonious scale and richness that creates a theatrical streetscape.
• Painted facades: Several palaces retain original trompe-l'oeil facade paintings, a Genoese specialty.

History

The street was laid out in 1551 by Galeazzo Alessi as 'Strada Maggiore,' later renamed Strada Nuova. It was a deliberate act of urban planning by the Genoese oligarchy to create a fitting setting for their wealth. Peter Paul Rubens was so impressed he published a book of its palace designs in 1622.

Visitor Tips

• Combined museum ticket: One ticket covers Palazzo Rosso, Bianco, and Tursi.
• Look up: Don't miss the frescoed facades and the ornate atria visible through open doorways.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes for the street; add 2+ hours for the museums.