Palazzo Malvezzi Campsites

Palazzo Malvezzi Campeggi, located at Via Zamboni 22 in Bologna, is an extraordinary example of Renaissance architecture. Built in the mid-16th century on a previous building owned by Giovanni II Bentivoglio, the palace was designed by Andrea Marchesi, known as il Formigine, and his brother Giacomo. The Malvezzi family, one of the oldest and most noble in Bologna, acquired the building and made it a symbol of their prestige. The building stands out for its elegant facade, with an imposing portico supported by overlapping Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, giving the palace a unique solemnity. The facade decorations include medallions depicting the main Roman emperors, a tribute to the historical greatness that the Malvezzi wanted to evoke. Upon entering the palace, the inner courtyard opens up as an architectural marvel, with its columns and arches reminiscent of the great Florentine palaces. The statue of Hercules, sculpted by Giuseppe Maria Mazza, welcomes visitors in the atrium, a symbol of strength and virtue. The noble floor of the palace was added only in the 18th century and was decorated by artists such as Carlo Lodi and Antonio Rossi. The frescoes celebrate the military exploits of the Malvezzi family, especially those of Emilio Malvezzi, who fought for Sigismondo II of Poland. The stuccoes by Carlo Nessi, connecting the heraldic symbols of the Malvezzi and Campeggi families, celebrate the marriage of Matteo Malvezzi and Francesca Maria Campeggi in 1707. The palace has witnessed numerous historical and cultural events. During World War II, the courtyard suffered significant damage, but a careful restoration in the 1970s and 1980s, carried out by the Superintendence for Artistic and Historical Heritage of Bologna, restored the palace to its former glory. Today, Palazzo Malvezzi Campeggi houses the Faculty of Law of the University of Bologna, continuing to be a center of knowledge and culture. The interior of the palace features a series of beautifully decorated rooms. Among these, the rooms frescoed by Vittorio Bigari, Gioacchino Pizzoli, and Giovanni Benedetto Paolazzi stand out, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the spaces. These works of art not only enrich the palace, but also tell the story of the families who inhabited it and their role in the political and social life of Bologna. An interesting anecdote concerns the marriage between Matteo Malvezzi and Francesca Maria Campeggi. This marriage united two of the most powerful families in Bologna and was celebrated with great splendor and magnificence. The frescoes and stuccoes decorating the palace commemorate this union, a symbol of power and prestige.