Palazzo Marescotti Brazzetti

Palazzo Marescotti Brazzetti, located at via Barberia 4 in Bologna, is a historic building that represents an important example of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Built in 1508 for the Marescotti family, the palace was designed by Giovanni Beroaldo on behalf of the papal legate Francesco Alidosio, after the previous residence was destroyed during the conflicts between the Marescotti and the Bentivoglio. The building, currently owned by the University of Bologna, houses the Music and Entertainment Library and the Department of Arts. The facade of the palace is characterized by a Renaissance-style portico, with columns featuring Corinthian capitals decorated with the noble coat of arms of the Marescotti. The upper facade is incomplete, adding a touch of mystery and history to the building. The monumental portal leads to a Baroque staircase with two symmetrical ramps, designed by Giovanni Giacomo Monti, which leads to the loggia overlooking the inner courtyard. The interior of the palace is rich in frescoes and decorations created by talented artists. Domenico Maria Canuti frescoed the Antechamber, now called the Hall of the Young Dionysus, with a scene depicting Jupiter handing over the young Bacchus to Mercury. The Audience Hall, now the Fireplace Hall, is decorated by Marcantonio Franceschini and Enrico Haffner with a fresco representing Felsina between War and Peace crowned by Fame. The same artists created other frescoes adorning the rooms of the palace, such as Venus disarming Cupid and Three putti holding Berenice’s hair in the dressing room. The decoration of the Hall of Columns is the work of the brothers Giuseppe and Antonio Rolli, who painted Fortune breastfeeding the child Jupiter. The Ballroom, one of the most spectacular rooms in the palace, is adorned with frescoes celebrating the Exaltation of the Marescotti family, the work of the Rolli brothers. The walls of the hall were frescoed by Giuseppe Antonio Caccioli, a student of Giuseppe Rolli, with scenes exalting the virtues and triumphs of the family. An interesting anecdote concerns the destruction of the original residence of the Marescotti, which occurred in 1507 at the hands of men led by Gaspare Scappi and Galeazzo Poeti, in revenge for the destruction of the Bentivoglio Palace by Ercole Marescotti. This event testifies to the political tensions of the time and the central role of noble families in city life. In 1947, the palace was purchased by the Italian Communist Party, which established the Provincial Federation of the party, the Gramsci Institute, and the city editorial office of l’Unità. The building underwent further restoration work by Pierluigi Cervellati, which allowed it to be adapted to new functions without altering its historical structure. In 1997, the palace was acquired by Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, which between 2003 and 2007 undertook a vast restoration program. These works have allowed the original decorations to be brought to light and preserved, restoring the building to its ancient splendor. Today, Palazzo Marescotti Brazzetti is a cultural and academic center of great importance. The Music and Entertainment Library and the Department of Arts house a vast collection of works and documents that testify to the richness of Bologna’s artistic and cultural heritage. The rooms of the palace are used for conferences, seminars, and exhibitions, contributing to keeping alive the dialogue between past and present.