Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, Renaissance palace in Piazza Santo Stefano, Bologna, Italy
Palazzo Bolognini Amorini is a Renaissance palace in Piazza Santo Stefano featuring a facade decorated with terracotta busts and circular niches. These ornamental elements were created by notable artists including Alfonso Lombardi and Nicolò da Volterra.
Construction began in 1517 under architect Andrea da Formigine and continued intermittently through the centuries, with final changes completed in 1884. This extended building process reflects how the family adapted and expanded the residence across multiple generations.
The building reflects different architectural tastes accumulated over generations within one family's hands. Walking around it, you notice how the porticos with their carefully carved capitals show the craftsmanship that wealthy families valued in their homes.
The palace sits in the heart of Bologna's old town at Via Santo Stefano 9-11, making it easy to visit while exploring the historic center. Its location allows you to see it as part of a walking route that includes other nearby religious buildings around the square.
The terracotta busts across the facade depict mythological and historical figures nestled in decorative spaces just below the roofline. These sculptures reveal what stories and figures the family valued enough to display on their private residence.
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