Palazzo Schifanoia

Palazzo Schifanoia is a Renaissance palace in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, built for the Este family and famous for its fifteenth-century decorative program. The palace’s name refers to its original role as a pleasure residence outside the formal city core.

The principal attraction is the Sala dei Mesi (Hall of the Months), decorated with a zodiacal and seasonal fresco cycle executed c. 1469-1470 by artists including Francesco del Cossa and Cosmè Tura for the Este court. Visitors typically tour the frescoed hall and adjacent rooms that display civic art collections.

The palazzo was created and altered across the 14th and 15th centuries for the Dukes of Ferrara and later adapted to municipal and museum uses. Its decoration reflects the Este court’s interest in astrology, allegory and courtly display during the Ferrara Renaissance.

Palazzo Schifanoia stands within Ferrara’s historic centre; it is a short walk from the city cathedral and other Este palaces, set in the flat Po plain that surrounds Ferrara.

• Main highlight: The palace is in Ferrara's historic centre and is best known for the fifteenth-century fresco cycle in the Hall of the Months, which is usually the museum's main draw.

What to See #

• Sala dei Mesi: The Sala dei Mesi (Hall of the Months) contains a cycle of Renaissance frescoes painted around 1469-1470 for the Este court, including work by Francesco del Cossa and Cosmè Tura.