Villa del Principe
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Built in the 16th century for Admiral Andrea Doria, this villa features Renaissance art, tapestries, and a historic garden.
Planning your visit
Andrea Doria was the admiral who made Genoa a republic aligned with Spain in 1528, effectively ruling the city without holding the title, and he built himself a palace outside the walls on the waterfront to demonstrate it.
Perino del Vaga, trained under Raphael, frescoed the interiors through the 1530s, and the Loggia degli Eroi and the Fall of the Giants are among the finest Mannerist decorative schemes in northern Italy.
The Flemish tapestry collection is exceptional, including the Battle of Lepanto series woven for the family.
The gardens, terraced toward the sea with the Neptune fountain, were among the most admired in Europe; a railway and a raised road now cut between them and the harbour, which is worth knowing before arrival.
The villa remains in Doria Pamphilj hands. It stands beside Principe station. Allow ninety minutes. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Villa del Principe?
Villa del Principe is in Genoa, Italy. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Villa del Principe?
Allow ninety minutes. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Villa del Principe in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.
