Palazzo Donghi, a true love story in Genoa.
No one ever described what a love story is about better than Johnny Cash, in his song “Ring of Fire”:
Love Is A Burning Thing
And It Makes A Fiery Ring
Bound By Wild Desire
I Fell Into A Ring Of Fire
The Taste Of Love Is Sweet
When Hearts Like Ours Meet
I Fell For You Like A Child
Oh, But The Fire Went Wild
It happens to you, and the more you go along with it, the more others try to hold you back… but the flames only rise higher. Because deep inside, you know this is something truly special.
Love at first sight in Genoa
This is exactly what happened to me and my beloved Gerthy (Gigi) in 2012. We had planned a road trip along the Riviera and the Ligurian coast, and decided to spend a few days in Genoa. It was love at first sight.
Genoa is a living city where young and old coexist harmoniously, with their feet in the Ligurian waters and their backs against the Apennines. Over 3,000 years of history have left the city filled with fascinating stories and remarkable relics. It is an open-air museum, a book of endless tales—but it does not reveal its treasures at first glance. You have to dive into its narrow alleys to truly discover its magic: stunning architecture, charming shops, incredible restaurants, artisanal crafts, inspiring art galleries, and, of course, coffee bars serving the best coffee in the world.
From a dream to reality
Once we returned home, we couldn’t let go of Genoa. We kept coming back, each time more drawn to the city, until we made a life-changing decision: Genoa would be our future home.
We started looking for the perfect place, and of course, we fell in love with the Genoese palazzi—because once you see one, you cannot resist their beauty. Luck was on our side, and in 2016, we had the chance to buy the noble floor of Palazzo Donghi. A listed building from 1618, featuring two original frescoes, 6.5-meter-high ceilings, and located just 50 meters from the San Lorenzo Cathedral, the very heart of the historic center. It was love at first sight all over again.
Sealing the purchase felt like falling into a ring of fire. This dream wouldn’t have been possible without our dear friend Sven Vinck, who helped us bring it to life.
A passionate renovation journey
The 400-year-old building was in relatively good condition, but major renovations were necessary. The existing facilities were minimal, and we knew we had a big project ahead.
Through Marina from Palazzo Cicala Hotel—whom we already knew well—we were introduced to architect Valter Scelsi, a professor at the University of Genoa. Valter was immediately captivated by the noble apartment and proposed an initial design for the interior.
His deep knowledge and admiration for Genoese palaces, combined with his modern vision, resulted in a stunning concept. The moment he revealed his design to us, the flames of passion burned even brighter.
Together, we embarked on this adventure. Of course, things did not always go smoothly. There were setbacks, delays, and challenges with contractors. But the end result? Absolutely breathtaking. Valter and his team became more than collaborators—they became friends. And together, we created something unforgettable.
The story continues
Now, we are adding the finishing touches to the façade restoration, including the historical frescoes. What initially seemed like a routine job turned into a fascinating historical investigation. Since Palazzo Donghi is a listed monument, we first had to study its original 17th-century designs.
And as is typical in Genoa, this research uncovered yet another incredible story. Beautiful architectural drawings and forgotten historical details were brought to light, and we are now working to restore them to their former glory. The excitement continues to grow.
What a beautiful love story this has become… and we feel, with every fiber of our being, that it is far from over. Genoa has captured our hearts forever.
I Fell Into A Burning Ring Of Fire
I Went Down, Down, Down
And The Flames Went Higher
And It Burns, Burns, Burns
The Ring Of Fire The Ring Of Fire