Villa Doria Centurione is located in the western district of Genoa Pegli (go to route 11): it was a historic noble residence built in the 16th century for the very rich banker Centurione, Andrea Doria’s father-in-law.
The building is a typical example of pre-Alessian mannerist architecture and represents an important testimony to the sixteenth-century Genoese model of suburban villa; it preserves important elements of historical, cultural and vegetation value.
It has a public park in which there is an artificial lake fed by the Archetti stream and created by the architect Galeazzo Alessi. In the center of the lake there is an island on which there were two statues of satyrs throwing water: a real “fairy island” to be reached by boat. The park, which originally reached the sea, extends for over 115,000 m2 and features vegetation with holm oaks, oaks, conifers and exotic plants.
Behind the palace stands a watchtower built in 1591 and 27 meters high, which can now be visited upon reservation.
Villa Doria Centurione is currently home to the naval museum of Pegli.
