Villa Imperiale of Pesaro

The Villa Imperiale of Pesaro is a suburban palatial house outside of Pesaro, built and decorated by artists of the late-Renaissance or Mannerist period. It is now a private residence but the frescoed rooms and elaborate gardens are available for touring.

A castle existed at the site, supposedly built starting in 1452 by Alessandro Sforza when visited by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. Construction continued until 1469.

After various disputes, in 1521 Pesaro was conquered by Francesco Maria I Della Rovere. He commissioned the painter and architect Girolamo Genga to transform (1523-1538) the castle into an elegant Villa di Delizia. His wife, Eleonora Gonzaga later commissioned further refurbishment by Pietro Bembo, including completing the cortile d’onore (courtyard of honor).

The property includes terraced and intricate Renaissance style gardens

The interior frescoes employed a number of major Mannerist painters including Dosso and Battista Dossi; Camillo Mantovano; Raffaellino del Colle; Bronzino; and Francesco Menzocchi. Topics include the Labors of Hercules, Story of the Rovere family, Hall of Calumny, and caryatids, amorini, and other decorations.

In 1635, the villa became part of the Medici with the marriage of Ferdinando II with Vittoria della Rovere

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