Palazzo Bentivoglio, Bologna
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The original Palazzo Bentivoglio was a palace in Bologna, which was destroyed by a mob in 1507. A second palace by the same name was built nearby, and is still standing.
The palace of the noble Bolognese family of Bentivoglio was built on the orders of Sante Bentivoglio, in Via San Donato (today Via Zamboni), starting in 1460, and was subsequently completed by Giovanni II Bentivoglio. Contemporary chroniclers and scholars have attempted to reconstruct the appearance of the great house on the basis of often enthusiastic descriptions. The main facade facing onto Via San Donato measured 30 meters, while the sides were over 140 meters in length. Located on the ground floor were the apartments of the men of the house of Bentivoglio, while the upper floor held the apartment of Giovanni II, richly frescoed, and the equally sumptuous apartment of Ginevra Sforza and the other women of the house. The building also housed guards and soldiers and included guest rooms, warehouses and depots of arms. The building had 244 rooms in total. In it, the Bentivoglio received illustrious visitors and friends, and hosted extravagant dinners and parties.[1]
