The 18th-century Palazzo Marchi in Parma joins the Castelli del Ducato circuit. Open with guided tours

The 18th-century Palazzo Marchi, in the heart of Parma, joined the interregional Castelli del Ducato circuit in March. Designed by Giovanni Isidoro Furlani and entirely decorated in stucco by Giocondo Albertolli, the palace on Strada della Repubblica, along the ancient Via Emilia, houses the Marchi family’s art collection inside, including a San Rocco painted by Parmigianino. Antonio Marchi (1923-2003), a film director, cultural organizer and industrialist, and a great lover of art and literature, bought it in 1859, and it has since been owned by the same family, which also has the Castle of Montechiarugolo, another extraordinary jewel of the Castles of the Duchy, as a dowry.

History of the Palace

Built on the area of the ancient customs house once belonging to the Da Vico counts, the palace was built between 1770 and 1774 at the behest of Marquis Scipione Grillo, Duke of Monterotondo and Anguillara and Cavallerizzo Maggiore at the Court of Parma. The project was entrusted to a pupil of Petitot, Abbot Giovanni Furlani, while the stucco decoration of the piano nobile and the duke’s private apartment was executed by Giocondo Albertolli, among the most skilled interior decorators of the time. With Grillo’s abandonment of the ducal court, the palace passed to the Langosco-Alari counts, then to the Malaspina, Galatino and Mazza-Poldi families; Antonio Marchi bought it in 1859 and since then the property has belonged to his descendants.

Statements

“The palace is accessible with guided tours at set times curated by ArcheoVea Impresa Culturale,” Bianca Marchi explains. “They take place throughout the main floor, which houses our family’s art collection: paintings, including a canvas painted by Parmigianino, furniture, sculptures, table services, engravings and prints that tell of the fervent cultural context fostered by the Academy of Fine Arts of Parma. Each room is finely decorated with the original 18th-century stuccoes, where putti, ornate elements and rich foliage reminiscent of the tradition of French decorativism triumph. In addition, the Palace has established a dialogue with contemporary art, which in some spaces comes into contact with elements of the permanent collection.”

“We welcome Palazzo Marchi! All the art places of the Castelli del Ducato circuit qualify as important witnesses of art, culture and beauty,” said Castelli del Ducato President Orazio Zanardi Landi. “Every visitor, every tourist who enters one of our manors, museums and historic palaces, with the contribution of their entrance fee, helps us to keep these wonders alive and open.”

The palace can be visited from March to July and from September to December, with guided tours and educational activities for schools. Possibility of group tours in other months of the year as well. September through December and March through June: Saturday afternoons at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.), Sundays at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.). July: Saturday afternoons at 4 and 5:30 p.m.), Sundays at 10, 11:30, 4, and 5:30 p.m.). Closed in January, February and August, opening only by appointment and with special rates.

The 18th-century Palazzo Marchi in Parma joins the Castelli del Ducato circuit. Open with guided tours

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