The Palazzo Zabarella is a medieval, fortress-like palace with a

crenellated A battlement, in defensive architecture, such as that of city walls or castles, comprises a parapet (a defensive low wall between chest-height and head-height), in which gaps or indentations, which are often rectangular, occur at intervals ...

roof-line, and corner tower, located on Via San Francesco 27 in the center of

Padua Padua ( ) is a city and ''comune'' (municipality) in Veneto, northern Italy, and the capital of the province of Padua. The city lies on the banks of the river Bacchiglione, west of Venice and southeast of Vicenza, and has a population of 20 ...

, Italy. The building now houses the Fondazione Bano, and serves as a locale for cultural events and exhibition.

History

Archeologic excavations during the 1990s restoration identified centuries of habitation prior to the Roman era. The palace is located in the area housing the Roman town in Padua, and fragments of ruins were used in construction of the palace and tower. In the 14th-century, the site was acquired by the Zabarella family, which included cardinal

Francesco Zabarella Francesco Zabarella (10 August 1360 – 26 September 1417) was an Italian Cardinal (Catholicism), cardinal and canonist. Appointment as bishop Born in Padua, he studied jurisprudence at Bologna and at Florence, where he graduated in 1385. He tau ...

(1360-1417). This family would build much of the layout we see today. Brothers Giovanbattista and Lepido Zabarella in 1672 commissioned plans for reconstruction from Thomas Sforzan. The palace was again refurbished in 1818–19 by Daniele Danieletti. At this time a large entrance atrium was built. Three artists,

Francesco Hayez Francesco Hayez (; 10 February 1791 – 12 February 1882) was an Italian painter. He is considered one of the leading artists of Romanticism in mid-19th-century Milan, and is renowned for his grand historical paintings, political allegories, and ...

Giuseppe Borsato Giuseppe Borsato (14 February 1771 in Venice – 15 October 1849 in Venice) was an Italian painter, primarily of vedute. Known for his work as the architect, decorator, and painter to the French Imperial Court in Venice. Life and works Born ...

, and

Giovanni Carlo Bevilacqua Giovanni Carlo Bevilacqua, also called Gian Carlo Bevilacqua (1775 – 28 August 1849) was an Italian painter. He was born and active in Venice, Italy. He was a pupil of Lodovico Gallina and Francesco Maggiotto. He became a member of the Academy o ...

, were employed in fresco decoration. The Zabarella family sold the palace in the 19th century. In the 20th century, the palace became the offices of a bank; and then a private Society of Casino Pedrocchi who added a large ballroom. In 1996, after restoration, becomes the official home of the non-profit Fondazione Bano and an exhibition center designed to host art expositions and cultural events.Palazzo Zabarella official website

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zabarella Palaces in Padua Buildings and structures completed in the 14th century