This was the city seat of the Albergati, a noble Bolognese family of senators, and cardinals, one of whom (Niccolò Albergati, 1373-1443), was beatified. In the 13th century they bought the land on Via Saragossa and in 1519 began to build to a design attributed to Baldassarre Peruzzi or Domenico da Varignana. The main rooms were frescoed with scenes of the Life of Hannibal and the Second Punic War by Bartolomeo Cesi.
In 2008, it caught fire and after restoration, has become the seat of Bologna's blockbuster 'Art Experience' exhibitions, starting with Escher in 2015 and Brueghel in 2016.
The Albergati also had a splendid 17th-century country Palazzo Albergati at Zola Predosa, used for special events. On Sundays in January and February, it hosts Sunday brunches, with guided tours of its rooms, lavishly frescoed by Angelo Michele Colonna, among others.
Via Saragozza 28
Hours 10am-8pm during exhibitions (but check the website)
Adm Varies according to the exhibition
+39 051 0301015
Image by Ginogiano, Creative Commons License