Palazzo Giacomo Lomellini, UNESCO World Heritage palace in Genoa, Italy
Palazzo Giacomo Lomellini sits at Largo Zecca 2 and combines two residential buildings into one symmetrical structure with a triple-arched courtyard that faces a former nymphaeum. The ground floor opens to this central courtyard, while the facades follow the balanced proportions typical of Genoese palace architecture.
Construction took place between 1619 and 1623 under the commission of Giacomo Lomellini, who later served as Doge from 1625 to 1627. The palace was built during a period when Genoa was consolidating its power and prosperity through trade and political alliances.
The interior walls feature frescoes by Domenico Fiasella showing scenes from the story of Esther, reflecting political struggles and external pressures that shaped Genoese leadership. These painted scenes serve as a visual record of the conflicts and negotiations that defined the republic's power dynamics.
The building has served as military headquarters since 1945 and is not open to the public. Visitors can view the facade and exterior from Largo Zecca to appreciate the palace's architectural features from the street level.
In 1927, one corner of the palace was removed to widen the street between Largo della Zecca and Piazza della Nunziata. This alteration reveals how modern urban planning reshaped even long-standing structures.
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