The History of Palazzo Farnese
Located in the northern part of the city, yet set apart from the main inhabited area, Palazzo Farnese still exudes a sense of majestic severity. Constructed during the 1550s and 1560s, the palace was commissioned by Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Parma and Piacenza, and the wife of Ottavio Farnese. The palace was designed to be a symbol of the power and prestige of the Farnese family and was constructed on the site of the Visconti Citadel. Renowned architect Jacopo Barozzi, known as Vignola, was tasked with creating this stately residence.
The history of Palazzo Farnese dates back to 1558 when the original construction was overseen by architect Francesco Paciotto. The design aimed to utilize the foundations of the Visconti Castle, a structure that had been commissioned in 1352 by Galeazzo Visconti. However, due to difficulties with the old foundations and Paciotto’s prolonged absence, the project was reassigned to Jacopo Barozzi (Vignola), who had previously worked on the renowned Villa Farnese in Caprarola.
Vignola’s 1561 design included an expansion of the building’s wings and an enlargement of the central courtyard. However, financial limitations prevented the full realization of his grand vision, resulting in only half of the planned palace being completed. The decline of the palace began with the extinction of the Farnese dynasty, leading to the transfer of their wealth to the Borbone family. In 1734, King Carlo Borbone relocated the palace’s art and furnishings to Naples. Further looting occurred during Napoleon’s invasion in 1803, and by the Second World War, the palace had fallen into neglect, becoming a refuge for the homeless.
Restoration efforts began in 1965 with the establishment of the ‘Board for the Restoration of Palazzo Farnese’. By 1976, the palace, still state-owned, was transferred to the Municipality of Piacenza and became the home of the ‘Musei Civici’ (Municipal Museums). Over the years, the museum complex expanded, and by 2014, Palazzo Farnese had become a municipal property.
Architectural Significance
Palazzo Farnese is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, echoing other works by Vignola, such as Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola. The building shares similarities with other notable projects of the era, such as the Louvre Palace by Sebastiano Serlio, a prominent Bolognese architect who greatly influenced Vignola.
The palace’s expansive inner courtyard features large diagonal niches that create an illusion of grandeur, reminiscent of Bramante’s designs for the Cortile del Belvedere and Michelangelo’s vaulted ceilings in St. Peter’s Basilica. The numerous windows suggest the vast number of rooms and the palace’s interior magnificence, blending functionality with elegance. Vignola’s plan also included an outdoor theater for entertaining the dukes and their court, positioned opposite the main entrance of the courtyard.
