Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli
A neoclassical jewel in Bologna
Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli is a historical building located in Bologna and consists of two wings, Rizzoli and Altabella.
The history of the building is linked to the Faccioli and Rizzoli families. It was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s and was inhabited by the Bolognese painter Raffaele Faccioli and his family.
Today the complex is owned by Bice Faccioli’s grandchildren, who carried out a final restoration in 2008. There are seven family flats in Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli that have been reopened to the public after the latest renovations, three in the Rizzoli wing and another four in the Altabella wing. Both wings have an ancient history, dating back to the Middle Ages, and have been renovated following a neoclassical taste. The Rizzoli-Faccioli Palace is an important example of neoclassical architecture in Bologna.
The elevation on Via Altabella is characterised by an elegant tripartite façade with string-course bands that differentiate the ground floor from the two upper floors, with ashlar pilasters.
Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli is a historical building located in Bologna and consists of two wings, Rizzoli and Altabella.
The history of the building is linked to the Faccioli and Rizzoli families. It was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s and was inhabited by the Bolognese painter Raffaele Faccioli and his family.
Today the complex is owned by Bice Faccioli’s grandchildren, who carried out a final restoration in 2008. There are seven family flats in Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli that have been reopened to the public after the latest renovations, three in the Rizzoli wing and another four in the Altabella wing. Both wings have an ancient history, dating back to the Middle Ages, and have been renovated following a neoclassical taste. The Rizzoli-Faccioli Palace is an important example of neoclassical architecture in Bologna.
The elevation on Via Altabella is characterised by an elegant tripartite façade with string-course bands that differentiate the ground floor from the two upper floors, with ashlar pilasters.
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The elegance of an 18th century palace
The ancient 18th-century gateway, surmounted by a wrought-iron balcony – probably the work of architect Angelo Venturoli – leads to a charming building. The façade is distinguished by its upper part, enriched by a fascia and moulded cornices above that add to its prestige.
Continuing upwards, on the second floor, windows framed in sandstone immediately capture the eye. But it is not only the exterior that is striking: the interior of the palace reveals an equally remarkable wealth of artistic and cultural features.
Among these, the ‘Venetian-style’ floor is characterised by a rich decoration based on geometries and a balanced alternation of broken and curved lines. The polychromes are interesting: the black grey of the panels is complemented by multicoloured stone elements, providing a lively contrast.
Rich in history, the palace still preserves a small oval room: in that transitional period between the 18th and 19th centuries, it was used as a dining room, a novelty acquired from France. The interior of the palace is also characterised by the sober and elegant geometric decoration of the vaults, in perfect stylistic harmony with the floors.
Finally, each room has a unique character, courtesy of the presence of neoclassical grotesques. These were probably executed based on designs by the Basoli brothers and their collaborators, among whom Rossi was particularly distinguished.
The ancient 18th-century gateway, surmounted by a wrought-iron balcony – probably the work of architect Angelo Venturoli – leads to a charming building. The façade is distinguished by its upper part, enriched by a fascia and moulded cornices above that add to its prestige.
Continuing upwards, on the second floor, windows framed in sandstone immediately capture the eye. But it is not only the exterior that is striking: the interior of the palace reveals an equally remarkable wealth of artistic and cultural features.
Among these, the ‘Venetian-style’ floor is characterised by a rich decoration based on geometries and a balanced alternation of broken and curved lines. The polychromes are interesting: the black grey of the panels is complemented by multicoloured stone elements, providing a lively contrast.
Rich in history, the palace still preserves a small oval room: in that transitional period between the 18th and 19th centuries, it was used as a dining room, a novelty acquired from France. The interior of the palace is also characterised by the sober and elegant geometric decoration of the vaults, in perfect stylistic harmony with the floors.
Finally, each room has a unique character, courtesy of the presence of neoclassical grotesques. These were probably executed based on designs by the Basoli brothers and their collaborators, among whom Rossi was particularly distinguished.
State room: A neoclassical masterpiece
In the representative rooms, the vaults are divided by grey mouldings and are spanned in the lacunars by phytoform elements, rosettes and bouquets of flowers, all typological elements found in the rooms sought after by the decorators of the new Napoleonic bourgeoisie.
Some rooms in the centre of the vault are embellished with landscapes, flowers and classical deity figures.
One room in particular has a vault completely decorated with lacunars and grisaille frames that converge in a central panel where a married couple place offerings on the altar.
Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli is thus not only an important example of neoclassical architecture in Bologna, but also represents an artistic and cultural heritage of great value to the city.
Its rooms, decorated with refined grotesques and frescoes, testify to the skill of the artists of the time and their ability to integrate the new neoclassical style with local artistic traditions.
In the representative rooms, the vaults are divided by grey mouldings and are spanned in the lacunars by phytoform elements, rosettes and bouquets of flowers, all typological elements found in the rooms sought after by the decorators of the new Napoleonic bourgeoisie.
Some rooms in the centre of the vault are embellished with landscapes, flowers and classical deity figures.
One room in particular has a vault completely decorated with lacunars and grisaille frames that converge in a central panel where a married couple place offerings on the altar.
Palazzo Rizzoli-Faccioli is thus not only an important example of neoclassical architecture in Bologna, but also represents an artistic and cultural heritage of great value to the city.
Its rooms, decorated with refined grotesques and frescoes, testify to the skill of the artists of the time and their ability to integrate the new neoclassical style with local artistic traditions.
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