Palazzo Ducale di Camerino, Renaissance palace in Camerino, Italy.
Palazzo Ducale di Camerino is a Renaissance palace whose oldest section was reworked at the end of the 14th century and expanded in the second half of the 15th century for Giulio Cesare da Varano. Its rooms open onto a four-sided arcaded courtyard, possibly by military architect Baccio Pontelli; the Sala degli Sposi holds 15th-century frescoes. The basement rooms serve as a university hall called the Sala della Muta and as exhibition and conference spaces.
The palace's oldest section dates to the late 14th century and was later remodelled. In the second half of the 15th century Giulio Cesare da Varano commissioned its expansion and completion in Renaissance style. Its last resident lords were Giulio Cesare and Giovanna Malatesta, Duke Giovanni Maria with Duchess Caterina Cybo, and their daughter Giulia, with whom the Da Varano dynasty ended.
The palace takes its name from the Da Varano lords and dukes of Camerino, whose line ended with Giulia, daughter of Duke Giovanni Maria and Caterina Cybo. The Valentiniana library, founded by Sebastiano Valentini in 1802, was housed here until 1997 with about 60,000 volumes, 200 manuscripts and as many incunabula; it has since moved near the San Paolo district. The palace is closed after the 2016 earthquake.
The palace is now part of the University of Camerino and houses event spaces and exhibition areas in its basement rooms. Visitors should note that access times may vary depending on academic activities and events taking place.
The balcony over the walls, built between 1913 and 1916 to a design by engineer Giambattista Salvi, cost about 2,750 lire and was reopened on 10 May 2007 after closure caused by the 1997 earthquake. No inauguration was held because of the First World War.
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