Palazzo Rocca: Civic Gallery, House Museum and Botanical Park
Palazzo Rocca: A Noble Residence of History and Art
Built in 1629 by the Costaguta family, Palazzo Rocca is an extraordinary example of a Genoese noble residence. Marquis Achille Costaguta entrusted the project to the architect Bartolomeo Bianco, one of the main interpreters of Genoese Baroque architecture, creating a robust and imposing building designed to reflect the prestige and refinement of the city in the 17th century.
Through Noble Families and Ownership Changes
Over the centuries, the palace passed to the Grimaldi family, then the Pallavicini, and finally to Giuseppe Rocca in 1903. Just a few years later, in 1912, Rocca left the palace and its park as an inheritance to the Municipality of Chiavari, paving the way for its transformation into a museum and the public enhancement of this precious historical treasure.
The Museum Inside the Palace
Today, the palace houses a museum spread across several levels: the main floor recreates the Rocca family residence, the mezzanine preserves the characteristic historic kitchen, and the lower floor hosts a gallery dedicated to Genoese painters, thanks to the patronage of the Torriglia family. Decorative and functional solutions reveal how tastes and technologies evolved over time, making Palazzo Rocca a perfect example of architectural and cultural development.
From Stables to the Archaeological Museum
The spaces once used as stables now host the National Archaeological Museum of Chiavari, creating a bridge between noble history and the preservation of local archaeological finds. The palace thus becomes a place where history meets culture, inviting visitors to explore centuries of Genoese tradition.
The Botanical Garden: Nature and Wonder
Adjacent to the palace lies the Botanical Garden, recently renovated, featuring over 5,000 plantings, including holm oaks, succulents, cycads, bamboo, exotic conifers, a camellia grove, and orchids. A green oasis that combines natural beauty with biodiversity, making a visit to Palazzo Rocca a complete experience of art, history, and nature.”
Sources
Geoportale Regione Liguria_Musei e raccolte;
Montagni C., Pessa L., “Palazzo Rocca a Chiavari. Un momento dei Seicento genovese e ligure”, Sagep, Genova, 1981;
Ragazzi F., Corallo C., “Chiavari”, Sagep, Genova, 1981;
https://www.chiavaripertutti.it/home/monumenti/palazzo-rocca/
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