Pendaglia Palace and deconsecrated church of Saint Margaret (Palazzo Pendaglia e Chiesa sconsacrata di Santa Margherita)

The construction of this building, the most impressive 15th-century example in Ferrara, was undertaken in the early 15th century by the Pendaglia family – partly reusing pre-existing structures – and progressively enlarged and enriched. In 1601, it was sold, at least in part, to the Conservatory of the Zitelle di Santa Margherita, which shortly afterwards started the construction of the homonymous church with one side facing the courtyard of the building; the project is attributed to Giovan Battista Aleotti. Despite the radical transformations it has undergone over the centuries, the building – now the offices of the Orio Vergani Hotel Institute – still houses important 15th-century works, such as numerous fragments of frescoes (one remains) and the late Gothic loggia overlooking the courtyard. Lavish banquets were held here, such as the one offered on the occasion of Bartolomeo’s third marriage (1452) to Margherita Costabili, attended by Borso d’Este, Emperor Frederick of Habsburg, who was visiting Ferrara at the time, and the entire court.