The Labors of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola.
In the heart of Genoa, on Via degli Orefici, is one of the most fascinating portals in the city: The Labors of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola. This sixteenth-century portal, attributed to the master Giacomo Della Porta, is a true masterpiece of sculpture and symbolism.
The portal is decorated with two imposing telamons that rest on monstrous heads: a leonine one and a snarling human one. On the left, a bearded Hercules, wrapped in the skin of the Nemean lion, holds his famous club, obtained from a wild olive tree from Mount Helicon. On the right, a hairless farmer with a relaxed face, also with a club in his hand. At the base of the telamons, two reliefs depict Hercules: one seated with the club and the other in full combat with a lion.
The metopes of the portal feature helmets with screaming heads, clipei and bucrania alternating with corbel triglyphs. In the center, the enigmatic head of winged Medusa stands out. On the entablature, two elegant female figures with drapes and amphorae at the sides frame a moustached mask, placed to replace the original family crest, removed during the Napoleonic period.
This portal is not only an example of artistic mastery, but also a symbol of the rich history of Genoa and its traditions. Walking along Via degli Orefici, one cannot help but admire this hidden treasure, which tells stories of mythological heroes and a glorious past.

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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Where is the palace:

For the Genoese it is known as the Labours of Hercules and is the spectacular door of Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola at number 7 of Via Orefici. The sixteenth-century portal is attributed to the master Giacomo Della Porta: on the jambs two telamons rest on monstrous heads (a leonine and a snarling human).
Continue and learn more on Amezena

The Labours of Hercules at Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Les travaux d’Hercule au Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Los trabajos de Hércules en el Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Os Trabalhos de Hércules no Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Die Taten des Herkules im Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola – Công trình của Hercules tại Palazzo Gio Batta Spinola

The text of the post was written with the help of Copilot, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence.
References:
– https://www.amezena.net/edicole-e-portali/le-fatiche-di-ercole/
– https://www.amezena.net/i-caruggi/via-degli-orefici/