Palazzo Barozzi
Sixteenth-century palace designed by Jacopo Barozzi, known as Vignola, famous for its spiral staircase with 106 steps; guided tours at weekends.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Palazzo Barozzi, also known as Palazzo Contrari-Boncompagni, was built between 1560 and 1567 for Count Ercole Contrari the Elder, to a design by the architect Jacopo Barozzi, known as Vignola, a native of Vignola. After the Contrari line died out, in 1577 the fief passed to Giacomo Boncompagni, who completed the building. The Boncompagni family kept it until 1949, when they sold it to the Parrocchia di Vignola (parish); in 2016 it was granted in usufruct to the Fondazione di Vignola for restoration and promotion.
The building has a rectangular plan with two projecting side wings; the garden extends from the western wing. The four floors were allocated to kitchens and services (basement and ground floor), to the feudal lord (piano nobile) and to the servants (attic).
The most famous feature is the spiral staircase in the southern wing: it is the building’s only vertical link, has 106 self-supporting steps carried by a single pillar at basement level, and rises about 12 metres, with three openings onto the surrounding countryside. The walls were decorated around 1880 at the wish of Prince Antonio Boncompagni by Fermo Forti and Angelo Forghieri.
Highlights
- Spiral staircase with 106 self-supporting steps
- Design by Jacopo Barozzi, known as Vignola
- 19th-century decorations by Fermo Forti and Angelo Forghieri
- Guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
- Tickets at the Rocca di Vignola
Permanent exhibition
- Visita al palazzo e alla scala a chiocciola – Guided route through the Renaissance building with the famous spiral staircase, frescoed in the 19th century.
- Operated by
- Fondazione di Vignola
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free admission under 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with a disability of 74% or more, with a companion. |
Tickets are bought at the ticket office of the Rocca di Vignola (Piazza dei Contrari 4). Free admission also for tourist guides and journalists.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits are guided. Groups and school parties must book. |
