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Hotel 3 stars Genova
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Palazzo Fieschi at the beginning of the 20th century - painting by De Avendano, Modern Art Gallery, Genova Nervi
"Its beautiful piazza (100 steps in length and 40 steps in width) gently slopes from north to south. Palazzo Fieschi stands at the top of the eastern side of the piazza, its façade overlooking the sunset." Thus - starting from Palazzo Fieschi
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began Goffredo Casalis in his description of Savignone around 1850. Today's overall impression shouldn't diverge much from what its ancient dwellers saw in bygone days. For centuries this was the stage for love-affairs, fights and family feuds as the Fieschis ruled over their fief and the neighbouring territory. There is scanty information about the construction of the Palazzo, which - according to the official bibliography - was probably built during the 15th century. The massive look of this noble residence (whose façade is still enriched by two angular watchtowers) witnesses a long sequence of radical transformations. The changes due to Count Ettore Fieschi almost certainly modified between 1565 and 1569 the status of the building from late medieval fortress to Palazzo Comitale (official residence of the count and his family), a rank kept up to the end of the feudal age.
In 1847 Carlotta
Fieschi, the last
member of the
dynasty, rented out
the whole estate to
Dottor Romanengo.
The property was
turned into a luxury
hotel with spa. The
Giardino of the
Conti di Savignone
(i.e. the wide park
at the back of the
Palazzo) became an
oasis of amenity for
the Grand Hotel's
guests.
A long era of
neglect followed
this time of joy and
activity.
In the 1990's a
loving restoration
work has brought
Palazzo Fieschi back
to its original
splendour. The works
have been carried
out by the owners
thanks also to the
funds allocated by
Regione Liguria and
under the
supervision of the
Soprintendenza ai
Beni Architettonici
e Ambientali della
Liguria.
Little by little the
intriguing history
of the Palazzo
emerged, bringing
back to light its
original structure -
e.g. the beautiful
vaults at the first
floor, hidden for
centuries under
false ceilings.
Today we can enjoy
the charming
atmosphere of this
noble residence,
whose protection is
entrusted to its
ancient proprietor
the Gatto dei
Fieschi.
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