Palazzo Massari

Palazzo Massari is a Renaissance palace located at the intersection of Via Borso and Corso Porta Mare, featuring a stern late 16th-century facade with large windows and twin pilasters. Its interior has been divided into several museum spaces to house different art collections.

The palace was commissioned by Count Onofrio Bevilacqua and designed by architect Alberto Schiatti, completed in 1591 as part of the Addizione Erculea. This urban expansion was an ambitious project to modernize Ferrara under the rule of the Este family.

The building houses three museums dedicated to different art periods: the Giovanni Boldini Museum, the 19th Century Museum, and the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum Filippo de Pisis. The collections display works by Italian and European artists spanning different eras.

The building is currently closed for restoration work, but information can be obtained at the office located at Corso Porta Mare 9. It is wise to inquire before visiting to learn which museum areas are accessible and what sections are open.

The grounds feature an 18th-century coffee house designed by Luigi Cosimo Bertelli, offering classical proportions that contrast quietly with the main facade. The surrounding garden displays modern sculptures by various artists, which are regularly rotated or supplemented.