Palazzo Dugnani, Italian Baroque palazzo in central Milan, Italy.
Palazzo Dugnani is an Italian Baroque palazzo situated along Via Manin in central Milan, distinguished by its grand principal hall. The ceiling displays frescoes painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo depicting historical and mythological subjects within its ornate interior.
The palazzo originated in the 18th century when the Casati family acquired the earlier Cavalchini residence and commissioned the present structure. By the 1800s, it housed collections from a natural history museum until those holdings were relocated to another institution.
From 1762 the palazzo housed the Accademia dei Fenici, an amateur literary society whose gatherings drew the poet Andrea Oltolina. The name comes from the Dugnani family, who bought the building in 1753 and counted Cardinal Antonio Dugnani among their members. Since 1977 the former school rooms have given way to the Museo del Cinema and the Laboratori delle Serre.
The rear of the palace faces Via Daniele Marin 2, while the facade opens onto the western edge of the Giardini Indro Montanelli. Visitors enter from the street side and pass through to the gardens. The building now serves as an exhibition hall, so check current opening arrangements before setting out.
The central ceiling fresco depicts the Apotheosis of Scipio and is flanked by side panels illustrating scenes from ancient Roman history. These classical subjects within the painted scenes reflect the educational ideals of the 18th century and the Casati family's interest in historical models.
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