Galleria Rizzi
Most visitors to Sestri Levante never find the Galleria Rizzi, which is a genuine shame — this small museum inside a 16th-century villa above the old town holds an extraordinary collection of Flemish paintings, antique furniture and Ligurian ceramics assembled by the Rizzi family over three generations.
The Collection
The highlight is a group of Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works attributed to the circle of Jan Brueghel the Elder, displayed in rooms with original frescoed ceilings and terracotta floors. The juxtaposition of northern European precision with Mediterranean light filtering through tall shuttered windows is quietly magical.
There is also a significant collection of Ligurian majolica ceramics — the bold blue-and-white tin-glazed earthenware produced in nearby Albisola — and a room of antique maps of the Ligurian coast that are fascinating for anyone who has just walked the Punta Manara trail.
The Villa and Gardens
The villa itself is as much the attraction as the art. Built in the 1500s and extended in the 18th century, it sits in a terraced garden of lemon trees, climbing roses and old stone walls that overlooks the Baia delle Favole. The garden is open to visitors even when the gallery is closed and entry is free.
In summer the garden hosts occasional evening concerts and aperitivo events — check the town's cultural calendar or ask at the tourist office for dates.
Visiting Practically
The Galleria Rizzi is run by a private foundation and has limited opening hours, typically Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 3 pm to 6 pm, plus additional openings in July and August. Admission is around €5 and guided tours in Italian (and sometimes English) are available on request.
Because it sees very few visitors, you will often have the rooms almost entirely to yourself — a luxury that even the most famous Italian museums cannot offer.
More of Sestri Levante
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Sestri Levante →
