Palazzo Ducale, Renaissance palace in Massa, Italy
The Palazzo Ducale is a Renaissance palace in Massa featuring red and white marble on its external walls and a central courtyard with columns supporting arcades. The structure showcases ornate marble doorways and currently serves as office space for local government functions.
Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina ordered the construction between 1567 and 1570, converting an earlier residence into a ducal seat to establish his independent realm. A century later Teresa Pamphilj undertook major renovations to unify the structure's appearance.
The palace served as a power base for the Cybo-Malaspina dynasty to control the region. Today visitors can see rooms filled with artworks and decorative details that reflect this family's importance.
The building houses government offices today and can be viewed from the outside, with its main facade facing Piazza Aranci. The interior courtyard with its columns and marble details is often visible when walking around the structure.
Hidden inside is the Grotta del Nettuno, a decorated room featuring a marble statue of Neptune surrounded by three dolphins carved from Carrara marble. This artistic installation reflects the owner's fascination with classical mythology and the region's marble craftsmanship.
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