Bonafede Palace

Built as a noble residence by Nicolò Bonafede, bishop of Chiusi, it is one of the major Renaissance architectures in the Marche, together with the ducal palace of Urbino. It was intended to celebrate Bonafede, extolling his role as a patron of the arts and his political offices and military exploits in his hometown, remembered in the many inscriptions that can be seen on the exterior. Noteworthy on the façade are the Guelph windows decorated with the initials of Bishop Nicolò, the frieze with an inscription (1513) and the entrance portal in Istrian stone, celebrating Nicolò's victory over the Malatesta of Rimini, sculpted by Pesimoti from Ancona (1524). Inside, in addition to the Renaissance courtyard, noteworthy are the frescoes in the so-called "camera picta" on the ground floor and, on the piano nobile, the fresco band with the "Triumphs of Nicolò Bonafede," fragments of a much larger decoration. The paintings, dating from around 1515-1520, have been attributed to the Spanish painter Johannes Hispanus. In the council chamber is a painting by Luigi Fontana from 1869, depicting Nicolò Bonafede reviewing the palace's plans.