Entering the Piazza di San Matteo is like a journey back in time; one emerges from the corner of a “carruggio” (narrow lane) and the precious casket of the Doria family opens up. The embrace of colours, materials and Gothic shapes of the palaces and the abbey of San Matteo envelop the visitor and give the feeling that time has stood still here and that a gentleman in medieval clothing might look out from a loggia.
The most ancient palace belonged to Branca Doria and was built at the same time as the church, though its original front overlooked Vico Falamonica. The arch of its medieval portico overlooks Piazza san Matteo. At the back of the palace, at the beginning of 1300s, they erected the precious quadrangular cloister, enriched with twin columns and acute arches.
Branca Doria was a Genoese politician we also find as a character in the “Divine Comedy” by Dante (“Hell, canto XXXIII). Despite the fact Branca was still alive at the time, he was prematurely damned to hell while his earthly body had been taken by a demon. It was an early punishment Dante reserves to only a few damned. Branca was presumably born around 1233 and, just like other members of his own family, he was given several commercial and political roles in Sardinia. He was the son-in-law of Michele Zanche, Lord of Logudoro. According to rumours with no reliable historical evidence Branca invited his father-in-law to a banquet and then treacherously slayed him together with all the men at his service. Because of this, Dante put him amidst the betrayers of their guests.