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Loggia of the Heroes
Stucco decorations
Lime stucco and marble dust
The five vaults covering the Loggia degli Eroi are a series of octagons surrounded by exquisite stucco work in lime and marble powder, inspired by the examples of the Vatican Loggias and those at the Villa Madama in Rome. The vaults bear depictions of patriotic episodes in Roman history, including Orazio Coclite sul ponte Sublicio (Horatius Cocles holding the Pons Sublicius) and Marco Curzio che si getta nella voragine (Marcus Curtius leaping into the chasm).
The Roman episodes on the vaults echo the depiction as saviours of the nation of twelve of Andrea Doria's ancestors, frescoed on the north wall of the Loggia degli Eroi.
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Sebastiano Luciani, detto del Piombo (Venezia, 1485 - Roma, 1547)
Painting
Oil on panel, 150.5 x 103.3 cm
Andrea Doria was the subject of a celebrated portrait painted on wood by Sebastiano del Piombo at the behest of Pope Clement VII in 1526, when Doria became commander in chief of the papal fleet. Andrea is depicted at the age of sixty, in an austere black robe, wearing his admiral's hat. In keeping with the Venetian fashion of including a parapet under the image of the subject, below the figure there is an antique frieze depicting six naval emblems, taken from a marble decoration of the 1st century BC currently housed in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. These emblems most likely refer to the six galleys provided to him by the Pope.
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French Manufacture of 1400
Textile
Tapestry, gold, silver, silk and wool, approximately 40 m/q
The Salone dei Giganti in Villa del Principe houses two large tapestries depicting the Histories of Alexander the Great. Experts consider these two panels to be among the most important tapestries of the fifteenth century. Woven with threads of gold, silver, silk and wool, they were made around 1460 in Tournai, in the Duchy of Burgundy. The two tapestries, measuring just under forty square metres each, depict various episodes in the life and legend of Alexander the Great, considered at the time to be a model of political and moral virtue. The first tapestry depicts scenes from the hero's youth. The second tapestry shows a similar interweaving of historical and legendary elements and the Burgundy of the 15th century is reflected in the garments, weapons and style of architecture.
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Pietro Bonaccorsi, detto Perin del Vaga (Firenze, 1501 - Roma, 1547)
Fresco decorations
Fresco
The fresco decorating the vault of the Salone dei Giganti was painted by Perin del Vaga, an artist who played a key role in the Palazzo’s entire decorative scheme. The fresco portrays Giove che folgora i Giganti ribelli (Jupiter striking the rebel Giants with Lightning). According to the Greek myth as told by Homer, Hesiod and Apollodorus, the Giants, born from drops of Uranus’ blood fallen to the earth, attacked the Olympus with the intention of overthrowing the gods. The ferocious struggle that followed, known as the “Gigantomachy”, was won by the gods, led by Jupiter. The fresco depicts Jupiter in the act of casting lightning bolts on the Giants, surrounded by the ranks of the gods of Olympus. Sources of the time suggest that the triumph of Jupiter over the Giants is to be interpreted as an allegory of the triumph of Emperor Charles V over his enemies, particularly the Turks and the Protestants.
In the fresco, Perin del Vaga pays homage to the great masters he met in Rome, including Raphael, Michelangelo and Rosso Fiorentino.
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Peregrine Falcons
A pair of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) guards the Lighthouse by generations: they are nicknamed "Zena", from the name of the city (Genoa in the local idiom), and "Cris", diminutive of “Cristoforo” (Colombus, the famous genoese captain and explorer).
Every year, the couple have at least two chicks (3 in 2015). They are supported by LIPU, the Italian Society for Protection of Birds. In case of need for help, they are supported also by the ENPA (the National Association for the Protection of Animals) volunteers.
The peregrine falcon is considered the fastest animal in nature, reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph). They are loyal animals, usually looking for a new partner only after the death of the previous one.
It is not uncommon to find them in the cities, on bell towers or very tall buildings.
(Source and photos from LIPU)
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Marble plaques
In response to continuous damage caused by the thunders and by the military approaching in 1771, the tower was chained up with bolts and tie-rods, which are still visible today from the interior.
At the same time some engraved plaques were put up on the tower, to protect the lighthouse on its four sides, above the first panoramic balcony: they are still visible to visitors.
In 1778, the lanterna was equipped with lightening conductor, which was created by the physic P.G. Sanxsais, and, in 1791, consolidation works were made at the first tower’s base to make it more solid.
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The Panoramic Balcony
To reach the first panoramic balcony, whose access to the public is allowed by the Navy, you have to climb 172 steps. From here, 70 metres above the sea, you can enjoy an amazing and original 360° view of the city and its port.
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Cannons Rooms
Museum section
The ancient “Cannons rooms” are today dedicated to lighthouses and their operation.
Here you can find some mechanical objects and memorabilia about how men solved problems related to ensure maritime signals light and operation to support navigation, according to the available technology.
The objects are accompanied by illustrative videos with the description of their operation, by Bruno Cacciaveleni, who was in 2004 Chief Technician of “Marifari” of La Spezia.
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Ghibellina Gallery
Museum section
The “Ghibellina Gallery” is a long hallway that the set-up project plans to divide into two rooms (emphasizing the difference in height and therefore the perception of the spaces).
Room 5 is about the Lanterna in the Nineteenth century and its relationship with the Genoese landscape, with reproductions of particularly significant works, such as a famous watercolor by Henry Parke - a 360° view of the panorama from the lighthouse - and scale models of the Lighthouse and its environment
Room 6, or "Sala dei Forti" (Forts room), is about the role of the Lighthouse within the city walls, by the enlargement of a Mid-Eighteenth century etching and reproductions of maps and diagrams that highlight the Genoese walls in different historical periods of the city.

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Via Garibaldi 9 - 16124 Genoa
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