The ruling class of Genoa, mixing nobility of blood with new mercantile wealth, sought to underpin their prestige by the construction of grand city palaces and suburban villas of unusual splendor.

[4] The Rolli—more precisely, the Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici di Genova (Italian for "Lists of the public lodgings of Genoa")—were official lists established in 1576 by the Genoese Senate—an aristocratic institution which took prominence as a result of the oligarchic reforms of the Prince and Admiral Andrea Doria—to determine the palaces available to the Government to ensure that the Republic of Genoa could offer appropriate lodging to the most notable guests who routinely visited the city, such as princes, kings, diplomats or religious authorities.

[5] The Palazzi dei Rolli were subdivided on the basis of their prestige into three categories—with size, beauty and importance as main criteria—for selecting whether each palace was suitable to accommodate cardinals, princes and viceroys, feudal lords, ambassadors or governors.

More recently, also palaces not originally belonging to the Rolli system (as an example, some historical buildings of the University of Genoa), suburban villas and churches have been added to the tour offerings.

One of the Rolli palaces - Palazzo Grillo in Piazza delle Vigne[9] - was intended by the property to host the Foundation named after Fabrizio De André, famous songwriter from Genoa.

[10] Inside the home, located in the centre of Genoa, will be a café and / or a restaurant, an auditorium, public rooms (classrooms and information) devoted to the study of the Genoese school of singer-songwriters, the top floor of the residence could be a meeting place between guests.