Palazzo San Giorgio, Genoa, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Palazzo San Giorgio is a medieval palace on the waterfront of Genoa, built in 1260 and later the home of the Banco di San Giorgio, one of the earliest banks in Europe. It stands beside the Porto Antico, and it is one of the best places in the city to see how sea trade built Genoese wealth.

The story behind it

The palace dates from 1260 and was built for Guglielmo Boccanegra, who held the title Captain of the People. Over the centuries it served many purposes. It was a seat of government, a customs house and a prison, and it was once known as the Palace of the Sea because of its position next to the harbour. Local tradition says the Venetian traveller Marco Polo was held here as a prisoner after a naval clash between Venice and Genoa.

Its greatest fame comes from finance. The Banco di San Giorgio was founded in 1407 and later made this building its headquarters. The Republic of Genoa borrowed from wealthy merchants and nobles to pay for its ventures, and in return creditors received income linked to the collection of import duties. Over time the bank grew into a powerful body that was both public and private, and it is often described as a forerunner of modern banking.

What to look for

• The frescoed facade, where St George, the saint the palace is named after, is a central figure.
• The contrast between the old stone of the palace and the modern harbour around it.
• The elevated road known as the Sopraelevata, which runs right in front of the palace and shapes how you see the building from the street.
• The Porto Antico just beside it, reshaped by the architect Renzo Piano in 1992 as a leisure and cultural area, with the Aquarium close by.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 15 to 20 minutes to look at the building from outside and to take in the harbour front, or more if you continue along the Porto Antico.
• Light is soft in the morning and late afternoon, which is also a pleasant time to stroll along the water.
• The palace is used for events and institutional purposes, so check current opening hours and access before planning to go inside.
• The Porto Antico and the Aquarium are only a short walk away, so it is easy to combine them in one outing.

See it on a quest

The Secret Chase Through Genoa passes Palazzo San Giorgio. You reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through the area, the app tells you about the place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

Genoa: Quest for the Lost Code also includes this stop. You walk there at your own pace, hear the story of the palace on the spot, and work out a puzzle before heading on through the streets nearby. One ticket covers the whole group.