Villa Imperiale Scassi

The Villa Imperiale Scassi is a historic noble residence in Genoa's Sampierdarena district that now houses the Nicolò Barabino secondary school. The building was constructed between 1560 and 1563 for Vincenzo Imperiale, based on designs by the architect brothers Domenico and Giovanni Ponzello. The design followed the style of Galeazzo Alessi, though the loggia was moved to the second floor, unlike in other models. Because of its architectural splendor and the picturesque park that stretched between two hills, the villa earned the nickname "la Bellezza" (the Beauty). Over the centuries it changed hands several times; in the early 19th century, for instance, it was briefly used by the Napoleonic army before Onofrio Scassi acquired it and had it restored in the neoclassical style beginning in 1821.

Today you can admire the imposing main façade, which is built in the Mannerist style and stands out for its Ionic half-columns, Corinthian pilasters, and a large central loggia on the piano nobile. The windows are crowned with curved and triangular pediments, lending the building a distinctive elegance. Inside, the atrium and the loggia, with their rich decoration, draw the eye. Here you'll find works by artists such as Marcello Sparzo, who created statues, as well as frescoes by Giovanni Carlone and Bernardo Castello depicting mythological and biblical scenes. In the past, the villa also hosted illustrious guests, including the consort of Emperor Charles VI and the Duke of York.

The villa was originally connected to a large park with tree-lined avenues, fountains, and terraces, but later urban development, such as the construction of the Villa Scassi hospital and a soccer stadium, largely destroyed it. Today, all that remains of these grounds is a public garden, considered the largest park in the Sampierdarena area. Traces of the original layout can still be seen there, including the large nymphaeum with the Neptune Fountain and a few surviving marble statues. The square in front of the palace entrance, now called Largo Pietro Gozzano, serves as the public forecourt, from which you can view the historic complex embedded in the urban fabric.