Palazzo Re Enzo

Palazzo Re Enzo, located in the heart of Bologna, is a historical and architectural symbol dating back to the 13th century. Built between 1244 and 1246, it was initially known as Palatium Novum to distinguish it from other municipal buildings, such as the Palazzo del Podestà and the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. The history of this palace is closely linked to the figure of King Enzo of Sardinia, son of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, who was imprisoned there for 23 years after being captured during the battle of Fossalta in 1249. King Enzo lived his imprisonment on the second floor of the palace, while the ground floor was used to store the war chariot and war machines. On the first floor, there were the offices of the pretor and the chapel. During his long detention, King Enzo, despite being a prisoner, maintained a certain freedom of movement within the palace and received visits, including those of women with whom he had three natural children. One of the most famous legends tells of a failed escape attempt by the king hidden in a brenta, discovered because of his long blonde hair. In 1386, Antonio di Vincenzo created the Sala del Trecento, later used as a municipal archive. The top floor of the palace was heavily renovated in 1771 by Giovanni Giacomo Dotti, while in 1905 Alfonso Rubbiani restored the building, restoring its Gothic appearance, adding battlements and arches, reopening the trefoil windows, and reconstructing the fifteenth-century staircase. These interventions, although inspired by neo-medieval style, have brought back the ancient majesty of the palace. The importance of Palazzo Re Enzo in the history of Bologna is also evidenced by its role over the centuries as the seat of various administrative and social activities. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the palace witnessed significant urban transformations, including the demolition of adjacent buildings for the widening of via Rizzoli and the creation of new public spaces. Today, Palazzo Re Enzo is used for conferences and exhibitions, confirming its role as a hub of city life. Its facades, overlooking Piazza del Nettuno, via Rizzoli, and Piazza Re Enzo, underwent a conservative restoration in 2003, preserving their beauty and architectural integrity. A particularly interesting aspect of the palace’s history is the legend surrounding King Enzo. It is said that, despite his imprisonment, Enzo maintained an almost royal lifestyle within the palace, with servants and privileges. He is said to have spent much of his time dedicated to poetry and music, and his charisma is said to have left an indelible mark on the city. The access to the chapel of Santa Maria dei Carcerati, located to the right of the palace, is another element of great fascination. Here, the condemned to death would pray before being executed, adding a dramatic and human dimension to the building’s history.