Rebuilt and refurbished many times due to fires, expansions, and restorations, Palazzo Ducale serves as a lavish event space and houses civil offices as it has for centuries. The opulent palace has marble columns, beautiful sculptures, and restored 17th-century Giovanni Battista Carlone frescoes that depict prominent Genoese including Christopher Columbus.
To explore the palace’s interior, visitors may attend one of the art exhibits, conferences, meetings, or concerts hosted here throughout the year. Hop-on hop-off bus tours of Genoa pass by Palazzo Ducale, as well as city landmarks such as the Genoa Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo).
Palazzo Ducale is a must-visit for architecture lovers and Italian history buffs.
The palace is entirely wheelchair accessible and has an accessible entrance at Piazza de Ferrari.
An on-site café/bistro serves meals, coffee, and aperitifs.
Palazzo Ducale is located at Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 9, next to Piazza de Ferrari, the city’s bustling main square best known for its three-tiered circular fountain. Many visitors reach the Doge’s Palace on foot while strolling Genoa’s historical core, and it’s also easily accessible by public transit—the de Ferrari metro stop is directly in front of the palace.
Palazzo Ducale is open daily, but hours for art exhibitions and events change frequently. Visitors are advised to consult the tourist information center or stop by the Doge’s Palace itself to find out what’s on the calendar while you’re there.
The original medieval core of Palazzo Ducale is its tower, also known as La Grimaldina or Torre del Popolo (People’s Tower). Built around 1298, it became a symbol of the Republic of Genoa’s political power. From the 13th century through the 1930s, the tower served as a jail for political prisoners, conspirators, anarchists, and common prisoners, including Giuseppe Garibaldi, credited with helping to unify Italy, and famed violinist Niccolò Paganini. Paintings, engravings, and etched graffiti left by the inmates can still be seen on its walls.
