Rolli Days Spring 2026: 20 Years of Genoa's Strade Nuove and Rolli Palaces — 'Sharing Is Protecting'

Rolli Days Spring 2026 — “Sharing Is Protecting”

On the twentieth anniversary of the inscription of the Strade Nuove and the Rolli Palaces system on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Genoa hosts the spring edition of Rolli Days with guided tours, special openings and cultural events. The program runs from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026, inviting locals and visitors to explore the city's patrimony through curated routes and talks.

Highlights and must-see sites

The initiative showcases aristocratic residences from the 16th to the 18th century, linking architecture, art history and social life. Key highlights include:

• Palazzo Bianco — visits and an exhibition focused on Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari;
• Doria Pavese Grotto (Villa Doria De Mari, Sampierdarena, salita Belvedere) — open to visitors within Rolli Days for the first time after restoration;
• Palazzo Nicolosio Lomellino and other major palaces along the Strade Nuove;
• Historic centre openings: Palazzo Brancaleone Grillo (vico Mele 6), Palazzo Bernardo and Giuseppe de Franchi (piazza della Posta Vecchia 2) and Palazzo Domenico Grillo (piazza delle Vigne 3);
• Badia di Sant’Andrea in Cornigliano — a restored monastic complex accessible during the festival;
• Basilica of Santa Maria Immacolata (via Assarotti 24) — special opening and guided visit to the façade under conservation.

Special programs and side events

• Palazzi in Luce — Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March, from dusk until midnight, palaces light up to reveal salons and frescoes visible from the street;
• Rolli Live and performative projects — music and live acts, including Open Piano on Saturday and Sunday;
• Documentary exhibition "Hospitality in Genoa and the Rolli System" at the State Archive, presenting original documents on how the city hosted dignitaries in aristocratic homes.

Conservation and collaboration

Access to newly restored spaces such as the Doria Pavese Grotto follows coordinated conservation efforts involving the Ministry of Culture, the Superintendency, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the University of Genoa and private owners. The program’s theme, "Sharing Is Protecting", underlines the link between public access and long-term safeguarding.

Visitor tips

• Guided tours are led by cultural mediators: check schedules and booking details on official channels or at local information points;
• Some sites have limited capacity or are open for the first time—reserve in advance when possible;
• For Palazzi in Luce, arrive around sunset to experience the lighting effects at their best;
• Confirm accessibility options for people with reduced mobility and up-to-date opening hours before your visit.

Why attend: Rolli Days offer a direct way to engage with Genoa’s urban history, observe active restoration projects and take part in a program that combines scholarship, cultural tourism and shared heritage stewardship.