The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa

The Doge Palace was the home of the “supreme” leader in Genoa. Doge roughly translates to the word “Lord” in the city-state construction of the medieval period in northern Italy. The Doge was the central authority figure. Both the city states of Venice and Genoa used the term. Initially, a Doge was “elected” by the wealthiest people, and they served as the supreme leader for life. Eventually, the term in Genoa was reduced to two years.

Photoblog, Genoa, Italy, April 20-23, 2025

The Doge Palace

The Doge’s Palace began at the end of the 14th century. The Doge refers to the title of the leader of Genoa from 1339 to 1797. These dates could be applied to the Renaissance, which began in Florence around the same time. The Doge Palace now serves as a cultural center for Genoa.

A few very wealthy families controlled Genoa during the 14th century. The official title of Doge, translated, was “Captain of the People. It specifically refers to the chief magistrate or head of state in the historical Italian city-states of Venice and Genoa. Before the construction of the Doge’s Palace, the Doge lived in the Archbishop’s Palace–or his own palace.

Christopher Columbus planting a cross in the New World. This painting in the Doge Palace portrays Christopher Columbus arrival in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. Christopher Columbus was from Genoa and is very honored in Italy. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — Christopher Columbus planting a cross in the New World. This painting in the Doge Palace portrays Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. Christopher Columbus was from Genoa and is very honored in Italy.

City-state of Genoa

In the fourteenth century, Genoa was a city-state. The “King of Italy” was Charles IV, King of the Holy Roman Empire. He held the title of King from 1348. Before Charles IV, the Holy Roman Empire had moved north from Italy towards Germany, away from Italy. This left the city-states more independent, and both Genoa and Venice used the term Doge to describe their leaders.

A detailed view of the chapel within the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. The inscription "REFVGIVM ET VIRTVS" translates to "Refuge and Virtue." Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — A detailed view of the chapel within the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. The inscription “REFVGIVM ET VIRTVS” translates to “Refuge and Virtue.” The Doge didn’t attend church with the people in the city.

Frescoes by Giovanni Battista Carlone

The frescos showcase civic virtues, all within an architectural “trompe l’oeil.” The French phrase “trompe-l’œil” translates to “deceives the eye.” The Doge Palace is known for its elaborate frescoes, painted by Giovanni Battista Carlone between 1653 and 1655.

It would be a shame to go to Genoa and not see the Doge Palace. The only place we have gone that has comparable frescoes was in Rome. If you missed that article, here is a link. Masterpiece frescos in the Borghese Gallery

Another place we visited with impressive fresco masterpieces was the Vatican Museum. Here is a link to that story.. Splendid frescos in the Vatican Museum

The frescos in the Vatican Museum were so amazing that I had to divide them into two articles. Stunning Ceiling Frescoes in the Vatican Museum

The main ceiling fresco in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. The frescoes celebrate the Virgin Queen looking down from heaven into the Doge Palace. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — The central ceiling fresco in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. The frescoes celebrate the Virgin Queen looking down from heaven into the Doge Palace.

Fresco of Saint Valentine at the Doge Palace in Genoa. The inscription reads "S. VALENTINVS EPISCOPVS GENVEN" indicates that it portrays Saint Valentine. On the upper wall there are four figures that seem to be looking down on the room from a balcony. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — Fresco of Saint Valentine at the Doge Palace in Genoa. The inscription reads “S. VALENTINVS EPISCOPVS GENVEN,” which indicates that it portrays Saint Valentine. On the upper wall, four figures seem to be looking down on the room from a balcony.

A fresco on the upper wall of the Doge Palace in Genoa. It is titled Saint Romuald (S. Romvlus), Bishop of Ghent (Episcopvs Genven). Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — A fresco on the upper wall of the Doge Palace in Genoa. It is titled Saint Romuald (S. Romvlus), Bishop of Ghent (Episcopvs Genven). Episcopvs Genven may have nothing to do with the Bishop of Ghent, but instead was a title that no longer translates well. From the previous photo, we know that Saint Valentine was not from Ghent but rather from Rome and died in the third century.

Fresco at the Doge Palace in Genoa. The inscription reads "US N. BONUS DE CAMILLACERARCHIE MEDIOL." Despite multiple attempts I was unable to accurately translate the inscription other than the word "bonus" means "good." Mediol may refer to the city of Milan. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — CAMILLACERARCHIE MEDIOL.” Despite multiple attempts, I was unable to translate the inscription accurately, other than that the word “bonus” means “good.” Mediol may refer to the city of Milan. ”

Fresco at the Doge Palace in Genoa. The inscription reads "S. Salomon Episcopus Genuen", which translates to "Saint Salomon, Bishop of Ghent." Ghent is a city in Belgium and was a major trading port like Genoa. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — Fresco at the Doge Palace in Genoa. The inscription reads “S. Salomon Episcopus Genuen”, which translates to “Saint Salomon, Bishop of Ghent.” Ghent is a city in Belgium and was a significant trading port, similar to Genoa. Again, the previous explanation of Episcopvs Geneven applies to this fresco. Historically, Saint Salomon was the King of Britany in the ninth century.

A fresco, in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Genoa. This is on the upper wall near the ceiling and seems to display a musical concert that would be in the room. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — A fresco, in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Genoa. This is located on the upper wall near the ceiling and appears to depict a musical concert that would take place in the room.

A fresco of musicians in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — A fresco of musicians in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy.

A fresco of musicians the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — A fresco of musicians in the Doge Palace in Genoa, Italy.

A fresco on the wall of the Doge Palace in Genoa Italy. This fresco creates the illusion of a portico rather than an enclosed room. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — A fresco on the wall of the Doge Palace in Genoa Italy. This fresco creates the illusion of a portico rather than an enclosed room.

Visiting the Doge Palace

The Doge Palace is in the heart of the old city of Genoa. While car service is possible, I recommend walking the narrow passageways leading to the Piazza del Ferrari. Once there, the Doge’s Palace is next door, but it is not well marked as a museum. The location is also home to civic events in Genoa.

"Caruggi" refers to the narrow, winding alleyways that characterize the historic center of Genoa, Italy. These alleyways are a defining feature of the city's medieval layout. I would describe it as one horse wide. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "The Doge Palace and Chapel of the Doge in Genoa." — “Caruggi” refers to the narrow, winding alleyways that characterize the historic center of Genoa, Italy. These alleyways are a defining feature of the city’s medieval layout. I would describe it as one horse wide. This caruggi led to the Doge Palace, which was about three blocks away from our apartment. We, however, were staying in the old city, not in a modern hotel.

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The Doge Palace

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