If you have always wanted to explore a Disney palace for yourself, then the Ducal Palace in Sassuolo, a Baroque villa located in the town of Sassuolo, near Modena, is one of the closest things to one in real life that you will find. Just find a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna and spend a day wandering around!
Built on the site of an earlier castle from the medieval period, it came into the ownership of Niccolò III d'Este from the Della Rosa family in the 15th century and was rebuilt under Borso d'Este in 1458. In the early 17th century, the Duke Francesco I d'Este commissioned what is now the present structure and it was designed by architect Bartolomeo Avanzini.
Built on the site of an earlier castle from the medieval period, it came into the ownership of Niccolò III d'Este from the Della Rosa family in the 15th century and was rebuilt under Borso d'Este in 1458. In the early 17th century, the Duke Francesco I d'Este commissioned what is now the present structure and it was designed by architect Bartolomeo Avanzini.
Now owned by the local government, this is a fascinating and beautiful building. The exterior references Tuscan villas rather than the style of those that were built in the surrounding area, an intriguing design quirk, and outside there are lush gardens with a rustic and fanciful Peschiera, or fish pond, that is especially famous and impressive.
It is the interiors, however, that are most magical and for which the palace is most celebrated. Walking through the rooms is an extraordinary and colourful experience as the walls and ceilings are swathed in frescoes that were made between 1638 and 1656.
It is the interiors, however, that are most magical and for which the palace is most celebrated. Walking through the rooms is an extraordinary and colourful experience as the walls and ceilings are swathed in frescoes that were made between 1638 and 1656.
Artists involved include the famous and beloved French artist Jean Boulanger, amongst others such as Angelo Michele Colonna, Agostino Mitelli, Baldassare Bianchi and Giovanni Giacomo Monti. who were invited by Boulanger to work alongside him on the decorative scheme. In addition, Luca Colombi, Giovanni Lazzoni, Lattanzio Maschio, Guercino, Salvator Rosa, Ludovico Lana created works for the palace.
Utterly stunning, the whole building is a great work of art and one of Italy's most magical hidden gems that isn't celebrated in mainstream international media.
Utterly stunning, the whole building is a great work of art and one of Italy's most magical hidden gems that isn't celebrated in mainstream international media.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Francasassi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Dani Par / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: Francasassi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Dani Par / CC BY-SA 3.0
