Palazzo del Ridotto, Renaissance and Baroque palace in Cesena, Italy.
Palazzo del Ridotto is a Renaissance and Baroque palace in Cesena featuring neoclassical architectural elements and a prominent bronze statue of Pope Pius VI on its facade. The building stands at Piazza Almerici and displays a blend of different architectural styles developed over several centuries.
The palace was built from 1401 on the site of the old Palazzo del Podestà and enlarged between 1466 and 1472 under Pope Paul II with battlements, a frescoed loggia and a civic tower. It housed the Consiglio dei Conservatori, the Consiglio degli Anziani and the Consiglio Municipale. In 1722 the municipal bodies moved to Palazzo Albornoz, and the building became a meeting place for Cesena's nobles, hence the name Ridotto. The facade was rebuilt in 1782–1787 by Cosimo Morelli.
The ground floor houses the Municipal Art Gallery, where exhibitions showcase the artistic heritage of the Cesena region. The collections offer visitors insight into local artistic traditions and works.
The building is easily accessible by public transportation or bicycle and is located centrally in the city. Visitors should check opening times in advance and may want to bring a map or mobile phone for navigation.
The bell tower, called Campanòn in the Cesena dialect, was restored to its present form in 1742 by Cristoforo Barzanti. The eastern side of the palace preserves the 15th-century structure and carries an inscription commemorating the Jewish martyrs of Cesena.
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