Palazzo Genova Rulli, located at the intersection of Via Anelli and Corso Palizzi, was built in the first half of the 19th century. Its design blends late Baroque and Neoclassical architectural elements, incorporated into a preexisting conventual structure dating back to the 16th century. This site was once home to the Convent of the Annunziata, along with its church and hospital, which were rebuilt after being destroyed in the devastating Turkish raid of 1566.
Before that, this very location housed the Hospital of the Annunziata, which was converted into a Dominican convent in 1523 by the preacher Father Giovan Battista da Chieti, under the patronage of Don Alfonso d’Avalos.
In 1809, following a Napoleonic decree, the convent was suppressed and seized by the royal treasury. It was later purchased by Baron Giuseppe Antonio Rulli, who transformed it into his private residence. Architect Nicola Maria Pietrocola oversaw the renovations, designing elegant halls, some adorned with frescoes, and creating a beautiful inner garden inspired by the Neapolitan-style garden of Palazzo d’Avalos, featuring several rare plant species.
By 1839, the adjacent church, which had fallen into complete ruin, was granted to Baron Rulli, who entrusted its reconstruction to Pietrocola. Completed in 1854, the project incorporated the remains of the original building into a grand noble chapel, dedicated to Santa Filomena, as well as a new wing of the palace. The majestic portal of this extension can still be seen today along Corso Palizzi. The chapel underwent restoration in 1918 under Luigi Genova Rulli, the grandson of Giuseppe Antonio.
In 1941, upon his death, Luigi Genova Rulli donated all his assets—including this palace—to the Curia, which later exchanged it with the Municipality of Vasto for Palazzo del Carmine.
For several years, Palazzo Genova Rulli housed Vasto’s courthouse. However, after the court offices were relocated to their current premises, the palace was abandoned. Unfortunately, to this day, it remains in a state of neglect, still awaiting a restoration project that would allow it to be reopened to the public.