Palaces to visit Emilia-Romagna

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).

Built from the mid-13th century, this palace was the first residence of the Este family before the court was transferred to the castle in the 16th century. Access to the palace and its court is marked by the statues of Niccolo III on horseback (right) and Duke Borso d'Este on the throne (left). In the Ducal Court, nowadays the Municipal Piazzetta, you can see the Renaissance staircase of the 15th century. On its left is the former chapel, the Capella Ducale (now converted into a theatre), which in its time housed numerous choirs.

This palace dating back to the th century was restored to the Renaissance. The ground floor with the arcades is crossed by two lanes which intersect under a big vault. Its Renaissance facade is now home to the tourist office.