Casa dei Grifi, Renaissance palazzo in central Milan, Italy.
Casa dei Grifi is a Renaissance palazzo in central Milan featuring a rectangular courtyard supported by granite columns with terracotta arches. The vaults are adorned with naturalistic grotesques on blue backgrounds, creating a unified decorative scheme throughout the space.
This palazzo was built in the late 15th century and belonged to the Grifi family, who served as tax collectors for the Sforza dynasty in Milan. That period shaped the Renaissance features visible in the courtyard design and decoration.
The palace takes its name from the Grifi family, whose coat of arms features a rampant griffin carved into the column capitals. Stone medallions between the arches depict emperors and warriors, bringing historical references into the courtyard space.
The building is located at Via Valpetrosa 5 and remains residential, which may limit direct courtyard access. It is worth looking through the entrance to appreciate the architectural details and decorative scheme of the interior space.
The portico corners feature full-round sculpted heads attributed to the Briosco workshop, blending ancient design motifs with Renaissance forms. These sculptural elements are easily overlooked but reward close attention for their craftsmanship.
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