Montecatino Palace (Palazzo Montecatino)

The imposing building on Via Contrari seems to have been built in 1514 by Gianfrancesco Calcagni. In the second half of the century, it was bought by Antonio Montecatino, a diplomat in the service of Alfonso II d’Este.

The imposing building is located in the heart of the medieval city, just behind the cathedral and consists of several buildings gathered around a quadrangular courtyard. Many scholars have attributed the design to Biagio Rossetti, whose presence is not, however, supported by any known documents. While some details, such as the terracotta cornice, might suggest a workshop related to him (terracotta was moulded in kilns), no other Rossetti-esque elements seem to be present, with the exception of the vault with deep recesses in the entrance hall, which is, however, a common element, as is the external scarp base. It is true that little is known of Biagio’s later style; however, the Ionic of the loggia overlooking the courtyard is more mature than the same order in the version preferred by the architect-master builder from Ferrara, of Lombard origin. The rectangular windows appear to have been crowned with triangular tympanums.