Palazzo Malvezzi de' Medici, Renaissance palazzo in Via Zamboni, Bologna, Italy.
Palazzo Malvezzi de' Medici is a Renaissance building on Via Zamboni with a balanced facade of local stone and classical decorative elements across its exterior. Inside, several ornate halls can be found, including the renowned Sala dello Zodiaco featuring elaborate painted ceilings.
Construction of this palazzo started in 1560 under the direction of Bartolomeo Triachini, commissioned by a wealthy merchant family. Around 150 years later, Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena redesigned the monumental staircase and Alfonso Torreggiani made further architectural changes.
The Sala dello Zodiaco displays ceiling frescoes with astrological symbols and religious scenes from the Renaissance period. These artworks reveal how the owners valued learning and intellectual pursuits during that time.
The building is located at number 13 on Via Zamboni and currently serves as an administrative headquarters. Visitors should note that access to interior spaces may be limited and it is wise to check visiting conditions in advance.
The monumental staircase was designed in the early 1700s by two celebrated architects who blended their different stylistic approaches. This collaboration marks a point where different architectural directions of the period came together.
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