Photo: Paolo Monti, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Historic villa / palace, 16th century
Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna
Palace in Bologna, Italy
Bologna (BO), Emilia-Romagna
At a glance
- Period
- Renaissance, 16th century
- Styles
- Renaissance, Mannerism
- Protection
- Italian national heritage
- Coordinates
- 44°29′39″ N, 11°21′02″ E
- Address
- San Vitale, 23
History and description
The Palazzo Fantuzzi is a monumental Renaissance style palace located on Via San Vitale number 23 in central Bologna, region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The palace is also known as the Palazzo degli Elefanti for its sculpted decoration, and it stands near the church of Santi Vitale e Agricola.
History
While attributed by some to Sebastiano Serlio or Baldassare Peruzzi, the palace was designed in 1517 by Andrea da Formigine. The facade with the ashlar columns was commissioned in 1521 by Francesco Fantuzzi; the carved elephants with towers above the corner niches refer to the senatorial family coat of arms. The coat of arms was a pun on the ele-fantuzzi family.
The interior courtyard has a monumental Baroque staircase designed in 1680 by Paolo Canali. The statuary at the top of the stairs is by Gabriele Bunelli. The ball room of the palace was frescoed (1684) with quadratura and Trompe-l'œil scenes by Francesco Galli Bibiena and other rooms were frescoed by Angelo Michele Colonna. Part of the palace is now used for exhibitions.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna».
Timeline
- 16th centuryBuilt
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
Bologna ZanoliniTrain, nearest
800 m as the crow flies
Palazzo Fantuzzi, BolognaSan Vitale, 23
Aeroporto di Bologna "Guglielmo Marconi"6.7 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore historic villas and palaces in Emilia-Romagna
- Free 1st Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Where is Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna?
Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna is in Bologna, in the province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), Italy. Address: San Vitale, 23. GPS coordinates: 44.49428, 11.35044.
How old is Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna?
Wikidata dates it to the 16th century.
What else is there to see near Palazzo Fantuzzi, Bologna?
Nearby you’ll find: Torresotto di San Vitale (100 m away), Palazzo Martinetti-Rossi (100 m away), Museo Ottocento Bologna (100 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 8 photos
- Paolo Monti - Servizio fotografico (Bologna, 1965) - BEIC 6339238 — Paolo Monti, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bologna Palazzo Fantuzzi 294 — GFreihalter, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bologna Palazzo Fantuzzi Cloetta xilografia — Incisore anonimo, Public domain
- Bologna, Palazzo Fantuzzi — Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Palazzo Fantuzzi (da notare l'indicazione "RIFUGIO", relitto della seconda guerra mondiale, a destra del portone) - panoramio — Carlo Pelagalli, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Palazzo in Bologna 02 — WanderingTrad, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bologne palais Fantuzzi (degli elefanti) — Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Paolo Monti - Servizio fotografico (Bologna, 1969) - BEIC 6330907 — Paolo Monti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences