Palazzo Aldrovandi, Rococo palace in Bologna, Italy

Palazzo Aldrovandi is a Rococo palace on Via Galliera in Bologna, built from 1725 for Cardinal Pompeo Aldrovandi. Alfonso Torreggiani completed the facade in 1752, using white Istrian stone against red brick and adding windows with almost undulating arches. Unlike older Bolognese palaces, it has no ground-floor portico.

Construction of this palace began in 1725 under Francesco Maria Angelini and was completed in 1752 by Alfonso Torreggiani for Cardinal Pompeo Aldrovandi. The project was completed during a period when wealthy families were investing in grand residences to display their influence.

The interior rooms display frescoes showing scenes from the lives of the Aldrovandi family, who held positions of power in Bologna's government. These painted walls give a sense of how wealthy families expressed their status through art and decoration.

The palace is located at Via Galliera 8 near Bologna's city center and is easily accessible on foot. The building previously served functions related to the municipal library and cinema archive, so checking its current use before visiting is recommended.

Marble busts and reliefs that once decorated the palace interiors are now part of the British Museum's collection in London. This reflects how artworks from Italian palaces have moved into major European museums over time.