The historical port city of Genoa is rich in culture and art. The city boasts a long and prestigious heritage and 2016 offers the perfect chance to learn more about this fascinating destination.

Genoa, located in north west Italy in the region of Liguria, has new exhibitions and events to entice visitors in 2016 and with direct flights from British Airways, is perfect for a cultural weekend break.

Rolli Weekends 2016

Genoa will once again offer visitors exclusive access to its incredible palaces with three news dates announced for the special Rolli Weekends 2016: 2 - 3 April, 28 - 29 May and 15 - 16 October. 

A total of 23 out of the 42 palaces in Genoa's historical centre, which are collectively known as the 'Palazzi dei Rolli', will have their doors flung open to the public during the first weekend. Six churches will also be opened and it will also be possible to visit some suburban villas of the aristocrat families who owned the Rolli Palaces.

Last year 21 palaces opened their doors and the May weekend recorded 100,000 visitors in four days. The full schedule for May and October's events will be unveiled later in the year.

Genoa was once Italy's most powerful republic and its palaces were built by the wealthiest aristocratic families in the 16th century. Due to official 'rolls' (scripts) or 'Rolli' issued in 1576 about these palaces, they became known as the Rolli Palaces. Today the 42 palaces, which are all located in Genoa's Old Town, have UNESCO World Heritage status due to their historical, economic and aesthetic significance.

May's Rolli Weekend will host the grand opening of a new path linking two of the most important historical houses in Genoa - the Palazzo Bianco and the Palazzo Tursi. Built in 1530, the Palazzo Bianco was originally home to some of the most important noble families in Genoa before being turned into an art gallery in 1884. The splendid Palazzo Tursi, built in 1579, also hosted notable aristocratic families in Genoa before it was taken over by the Savoy in 1848 and turned into Genoa's town hall.

October's weekend will unveil the opening of the new halls of the XIX Century on the third floor of Palazzo Rosso, where guests can view furniture and the rooms of the last heirs of the Brignole-Sale family. 

Entry to most of the palaces and museums is free over the Rolli Weekends. Guided tours are also available during the Rolli Weekends from €6 (£4.70) accompanied by local tourist guides.

Medieval Genoa Exhibition

Genoa was one of the most important European capitals in the Middle Ages and a new innovative exhibition, 'A Mediterranean Capital during the Age of the Embriaci', will explore the history of Medieval Genoa.

Running from 19 March - 26 June 2016 at the Saint Agostino Church Museum, the exhibition will showcase the history of this port city and is guided by the life of the Embriaci family, one of the most important Genoese families of this period, whose members were merchants, warriors and skilful sailors.

The exhibition winds its way through two hundred years of Oriental and Western precious items including sculptures, paintings, illuminated manuscripts, ivories, ceramics, metalware and coins. 

These objects show the various cultural, artistic, political and economic links between Liguria, European countries, Byzantine Empire and Islamic territories from the end of the 11th century to the end of the 17th century. One of the main aims of the exhibition is to focus on the central role of Genoa is the connections between Europe and Eastern Lands.

Entry to the 'A Mediterranean Capital during the Age of the Embriaci' exhibition and the Saint Agostino Church Museum is available from €7 (£5.50) with concessions and family/group discounts available.

Travellers can buy an all-inclusive pass for the 'A Mediterranean Capital during the Age of the Embriaci' exhibition and two other important Genoese museums: Museo del Tesoro della Cattedrale and Museo Diocesano from €9 (£7).

For more information on visiting Genoa, please visit www.visitgenoa.it.

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For more information, please see here www.visitgenoa.it

For press enquiries contact Jules Ugo or Tim Thackray at Lotus on jules@wearelotus.co.uk / tim@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470