Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna

Palazzo Fantuzzi is a Renaissance palace on Via San Vitale featuring a monumental facade of cut stone, double-story columns, and ten large windows topped with triangular pediments. The structure displays the classical proportions and formal arrangement that defined the city's most important buildings of that era.

Francesco Fantuzzi commissioned the building in 1517, combining it with adjacent properties into a single design. The formal authorization came in 1535, establishing a Roman-style facade without a covered portico.

The rooms inside contain artistic elements linked to notable figures from music and art who shaped the city's cultural life. These spaces show how the building became part of the lives of creative people over time.

The building serves primarily as offices and event spaces today, so visitor access is limited to special occasions. It helps to check ahead for opportunities to see the interior during festivals or cultural events.

The palace earned the nickname Palazzo degli Elefanti from the sculpted elephants that support towers on its roofline. The name plays cleverly with the Fantuzzi family name and the building's distinctive design.

Location: Bologna

Inception: 16 century

Architectural style: Renaissance, mannerism

GPS coordinates: 44.49428,11.35044

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22