Rocca Palace
A baroque palace transformed into a civic museum, housing an important collection of paintings from across Europe and a gallery dedicated to local heritage.
At a glance
Rocca Palace stands in the heart of Chiavari’s historic center, surrounded by the Rocca public park and steps from Piazza delle Carrozze. The palace now functions as a dual museum: the ground floor holds the archaeological museum in the original stables, while upper floors display the civic gallery of paintings and decorative arts.
History
Built between 1629 and 1635 for Marquis Costaguta, the palazzo was designed by architect Bartolomeo Bianco. Over the following centuries, ownership passed through several prominent Genoese families—the Ranieri, Grimaldi, and Pallavicini—who each left their mark through renovations and expansions.
In 1912, Giuseppe Rocca acquired the property and commissioned a comprehensive restoration. He engaged Genoese landscape architect Polinice Caccia in 1908 to transform the modest garden into a designed park. That same year, Rocca donated the entire complex—building, gardens, and collections—to the municipality of Chiavari. Early 2000s work refreshed the park’s plantings and restored architectural elements throughout the grounds.
What you see
The palazzo displays baroque sensibilities characteristic of 17th-century Genoese design. Its layout separates public functions: the ground floor archaeological displays occupy the original stables, while the upper floors showcase the art collections in formal gallery spaces.
The surrounding park, redesigned in the early 20th century, provides a verdant setting that softens the palazzo’s urban context. Mature plantings and restored architectural features create a coherent ensemble of architecture and landscape.
Cultural significance
The civic gallery preserves a wide-ranging collection spanning Genoese, Italian, Spanish, and Flemish schools. The Torriglia Collection—named for a local marquis—concentrates works from the 16th to 18th centuries, including Natura morta by Jan Roos and The Three Parks by Gioacchino Assereto. Ceramics, porcelain, and period prints round out the holdings, illustrating the aesthetic tastes of Chiavari’s merchant patriciate.
Key facts
- Address: Via Costaguta, 2, Chiavari
- Coordinates: 44.31686685314676, 9.327296018600464
- Architect: Bartolomeo Bianco (1629–1635)
- Landscape architect: Polinice Caccia (1908)
- Phone: 0185 302929
- Official website: http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/opencms/MiBAC/sito-MiBAC/Luogo/MibacUnif/Luoghi-della-Cultura/visualizza_asset.html?id=152152&pagename=57
Practical information
Opening hours and admission fees are not listed; check the official website or contact the museum directly for current details.
Getting there
The palazzo is located in central Chiavari near Piazza delle Carrozze (Piazza Matteotti). You can reach it via Via Costaguta in the historic center. For detailed directions, contact the museum or consult a mapping service using the provided coordinates.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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