A place of rest and encounter at the gates of Bologna
Surrounded by the green hills that line the Reno river, Palazzo de’ Rossi was built in the second half of the fifteenth century at the behest of Bartolomeo de’ Rossi, a senator of Parmesan origins who had settled in Bologna. It was erected in Pontecchio, a fertile and strategic location, to welcome noblemen, ecclesiastics and men of letters travelling between Rome and Bologna.
The palazzo is arranged over two levels: the upper level, facing west, features elegant salons, terracotta floors, magnificent views of the gardens and an enchanting view of the Basilica di San Luca. The eastern side, adorned with a grand Honour Courtyard and its elegant loggias, overlooks the borgo. To this day, the life of the palazzo and that of the borgo remain intertwined, just as they once were.
The History
Centuries of history to refine the art of hospitality
Over the centuries, Palazzo de’ Rossi has hosted illustrious figures: popes such as Julius II, Paul III and Leo X, poets such as Torquato Tasso, travellers bound for Bologna and ambassadors. It endured sieges, including that of the Landsknechts led by Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, and was reborn time and again, thanks to restorations that respected its soul.
In the eighteenth century, Camillo Turrini de’ Rossi transformed it from a fortified castle into an elegant country residence, removing a tower, filling in the moat and reorganizing the interior spaces. It was during those years that the charming asymmetrical Italian garden, the decoration of the Sala degli Affreschi and the magnificent stables were created.
Over time, the palazzo passed from the Rossi to the Turrini family, from the Marsili to the current owners, the Bevilacqua Ariosti family, who at the end of the nineteenth century oversaw a meticulous restoration, entrusting it to the architect Alfonso Rubbiani. It is thanks to that intervention that today the palazzo preserves the living imprint of a late-medieval castle, imbued with elegance and memory.
Palazzo de’ Rossi Today
When time stands still in unforgettable moments
Today, Palazzo de’ Rossi maintains the vocation that has animated it for centuries: hospitality.
It is the venue for private and corporate events, gala dinners, weddings and historical re-enactments. It can also serve as a striking set for photographic and video shoots.
The Salone de’ Rossi and the Ala Nord welcome guests throughout the year; the Honour Courtyard, covered by an elegant tensile structure, becomes the vibrant heart of conviviality in summer.
Palazzo de’ Rossi continues to write its own history: tales of timeless hospitality that give guests unforgettable moments.
