Palazzo Milzetti

Palazzo Milzetti, located in the charming town of Faenza in the province of Ravenna, Italy, is a splendid example of neoclassical architecture and a testament to the artistic and cultural richness of the region. This historic building, now home to the National Museum of Neoclassical Art in Romagna, offers visitors a fascinating journey through the elegance and grandeur of the neoclassical period.

The History of Palazzo Milzetti

The story of Palazzo Milzetti begins in 1792 when Count Nicola Milzetti commissioned the architect Giuseppe Pistocchi to construct a grand palace by unifying the ancient family houses that had been damaged by a severe earthquake in 1781. Pistocchi's design included a striking facade adorned with mannerist rustication framing the windows, and the main structures of the palace. The friezes above the windows of the piano nobile, featuring an alternation of metopes and triglyphs in the Doric order, add dynamism to the facade along with the cornices and balustrades.

However, Pistocchi's work was interrupted in 1796 when he was arrested and imprisoned at San Leo as a Jacobin. After the death of Count Nicola, his son, Count Francesco Milzetti, a Napoleonic Knight of the Iron Crown and Colonel commanding the 4th company of the Viceroy of Italy's Honor Guard, resumed the project in 1799. He entrusted the completion of the palace to architect Giovanni Antonio Antolini, who was already working on other palaces in Faenza under the protection of the Laderchi counts. Antolini designed the completion of the grand staircase and the spacious octagonal hall on the piano nobile, known as the Temple of Apollo, opening the large serliana onto the garden between 1800 and 1801.

The Artistic Splendor of Palazzo Milzetti

In 1802, the decoration of the interiors began under the direction of Felice Giani and his well-organized workshop led by Gaetano Bertolani. The creation of the stuccoes was entrusted to plastic artists Francesco and Giovan Battista Ballanti Graziani and Antonio Trentanove. The decoration of the palace, which extended from 1802 to 1805, was a grand endeavor. The paintings and stuccoes, through refined mythological and historical references, reflect the specific function of each room, characterizing each hall as a standalone nucleus, the result of a design entirely focused on the unity of the arts. The ornaments, based on cultured reinterpretations of ancient and Renaissance grotesques and realized in tempera on the wall, harmonize with the existing architectural partitions, incorporating doors and windows, and have maintained their original brilliance.

However, by 1808, Francesco Milzetti was forced to sell his beloved residence due to severe financial difficulties. The palace was purchased by Pasquale Papiani of Modigliana, who in turn sold it to Domenico Ugolini in 1814. In 1817, it passed to Counts Ercole and Giuseppe Rondinini. The Rondinini counts were responsible for the completion of the western wing of the building, the furnishings, and the creation of the vast garden with the rustic hut, decorated in trompe l'oeil by Romolo Liverani, between 1830 and 1851. Upon the death of Count Giuseppe, the palace passed to his sister Faustina, married to Count Luigi Magnaguti of Mantua, and was later inherited by their children Ercole, Antonio, and Luigi.

Palazzo Milzetti Today

In 1934, the palace was auctioned and acquired by lawyer Giovanni Bolognesi, who sold it to the State on June 26, 1973. After initial restorations, it was opened to the public in 1979 and has been the seat of the Museum of Neoclassical Art in Romagna since 2001. Antonio Paolucci, in occasion of the exhibition held at Palazzo Milzetti from March 15 to June 21, 2009, wrote: You will not find in Vienna, nor in St. Petersburg, nor even in Paris, a building comparable in refinement, elegance, and enchanting taste of the interior decor, to the building that architect Pistocchi built and Felice Giani frescoed between 1802 and 1805 for Count Francesco Milzetti.

Visitors to Palazzo Milzetti can immerse themselves in the neoclassical splendor of its exquisitely decorated rooms, each telling a unique story through its intricate frescoes and stuccoes. The grand staircase, the Temple of Apollo, and the beautifully landscaped garden are just a few of the highlights that await those who step into this architectural gem. Palazzo Milzetti is not just a museum; it is a journey back in time to an era of artistic and cultural flourishing, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Italian nobility during the neoclassical period.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, Palazzo Milzetti promises an unforgettable experience filled with beauty, history, and inspiration. As you wander through its halls and admire the meticulous craftsmanship that went into every detail, you will undoubtedly be captivated by the timeless elegance and grandeur of this remarkable palace.