PALAZZO SCHIFANOIA

The very name of this palace says a lot about its original function. Derived from schivare la noia, literally "to flee boredom", the palace was intended solely as a place of entertainment for the Este court. The first part, commissioned by Alberto V d'Este, dates from 1385. The most important alteration is due to Borso d'Este who, between 1465 and 1469, raised the building by one floor. What makes Schifanoia an exceptional monument is the decoration of the Salone dei Mesi (Hall of the Months), an extraordinary cycle of frescoes that represents one of the most important achievements not only of the Ferrara school but also of the Italian Renaissance. It also shows the importance of astrology: Pellegrino Pricianni, the court astrologer, supervised the realization of this hall, while Cosmè Tura was responsible for the artistic project (even if the execution is attributed to other artists). The walls are divided in twelve months by false painted pilasters. Each month is, in turn, divided into three horizontal registers: at the bottom, Duke Borso, surrounded by his court, administers his state and goes about his business; in the middle, the signs of the zodiac; at the top, the triumph of the ancient gods, carried on chariots. Also note that all the ceilings are original (15th century). Since 1898, the palace has been home to the Municipal Museums of Ancient Art, whose collections include Greek, Etruscan and Roman ceramics, ivory and bronze objects, and coins.