Palaces to visit Italy

Built in 1246, he was named in tribute to the son of Federico II di Hohenstaufen, who remained imprisoned here for years. The story tells us that the young man was of perfect beauty and that the women of the city liked to look at it. One day he managed to escape, he was denounced by a girl who, in her window, saw her escape and was terrorized at the idea of no longer being able to admire her…

This grandiose brick construction dates from the 13th century and is dominated by the Clock Tower added two centuries later. In the centre, the portal designed by Galeazzo Alessi dates back to 1555; on the balcony, the statue of Pope Gregory XIII who, to escape the looting by Napoleon's troops, was disguised as Saint Petronius, patron saint of the city! The top floor of the palace houses the collections of paintings and works of art of the city of Bologna (Collezioni Comunali d'Arte).

Former Jesuit college of the th century with the famous Pinacothèque and the Ecole School of fine arts. Set in a former Jesuit college of the th century, the palace is the work of two great Italian architects of the th century, Francesco Maria Richini and Giuseppe Piermarini, the same who performed the Scala theatre. In his courtyard, surrounded by a magnificent portico, one can see a statue of Napoleon, work of Canova. Inside are the Braidense library and an astronomical observatory.

This ochre-colored palace, surrounded by a lush greenery near Campo San Stefano, is delightful. Its front façade overlooks the Grand Canal. Its typical Venetian architecture includes a series of added bays and gothic balconies. This is evidenced in particular by the abundant use of sorting (for three) and quadri (four) lobes. The interior is worth a great look for its neo-baroque magnificence: wooden doors, marble staircases, bronze canvas, ceilings adorned with stucco… On the occasion of artistic events, such as the Biennale di Venezia, the palace opens its doors to visitors. On a daily basis, this is the seat of the Venetian Institute of Science, Letters and Arts, which also houses a private school of design.