Palazzo Della Rovere
Its name reveals its importance: it was built by Pope Julius II, originally known as Giuliano Della Rovere. Forced to seek shelter in the city of his birth after the election of Pope Alexander VI, the future pontiff decided to build a palace that was befitting of his status and the splendour of the Renaissance-era courts of central Italy.
In 1495 Giuliano began buying land in Savona with an ambitious plan of creating a large plot for his splendid new residence. He appointed the Florentine architect Giuliano da Sangallo, the undisputed master of the Renaissance, to realise his dream. Overseen by da Sangallo’s expertise, a palace was built that challenged the conventions of Liguria at the time.
The façade, with its superimposed order, recalled the palaces of Florence, a symbol of power and refinement. Sadly few of the original frescoes still remain inside but those in the chapel, by Gerolamo Brusco, tell tales of glory and devotion.
If you are lucky enough to visit the palace, do not miss the 16th century frescoes by Ottavio Semino: they will transport you back in time to an era of extraordinary opulence, where art and power were inextricably intertwined. Today, Palazzo della Rovere is waiting to be restored to its former glory.
A project is in progress, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, with the goal of converting the building into a public library and a vibrant cultural centre for the city. Just imagine what it will be like to browse the book in these elegant refurbished rooms, surrounded by magnificent works of art. Palazzo della Rovere will once again be the pride of not just Savona but the whole Italian artistic scene.
