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Facade, Palazzo Contughi-Gulinelli
Photo by Cristina Baldi, University Library System

Palazzo Contughi-Gulinelli was completed in 1542 by Girolamo da Carpi, on commission from Girolamo Mario Contughi, a professor of Greek, Latin and Hebrew at the old University of Ferrara. On the facade, which is one of the most impressive from the 16th century in Ferrara, you can see two rows of windows topped with marble plaques with unclear engravings in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, one of which reads "Do not house swallows under your roof". There is a strikingly impressive doorway with half-columns made from rustic marble ashlars, attributed to Ferrara architect Alessandro Balbi, and a balcony also in marble.

The palace changed hands several times, with many modifications; at a time of particular cultural ferment it was also the seat of theAcademy of the Argonauts (1761). In the second half of the 19th century, the interiors, the main doorway and the garden were renovated, enriched with a precious well from the 1400s, which today is located in Palazzo Costabili, known as the Palace of Ludovico il Moro. In 1935, Count Olao Gulinelli left the palace to his wife Alma Anna Budini, who made the cellars available to citizens as shelters during the Second World War. By bequest from the owner, in 1974 the University of Ferrara acquired the palace.

Damaged by the 2012 earthquake and currently waiting to be restored, the palace will be the future seat of the Literature and Philosophy Library.

Leonhart Fuchs, De historia stirpium commentarii insignes, Basel, Michael Isengrin, 1542 (Recreation of the illustration). Historical Collection of the Literature and Philosophy Library

This location is part of the permanent cultural tour Stories of books and palaces. Tours of the Unife libraries from the University Library System.(Tour guide.pdf)

Guided tours

28 October 2018 - Stories of books and palaces. Inauguration of the tour with the opening of the locations. The students from the 4th year of the "A. Roiti" Science-specialist High School in Ferrara, along with representatives from the University Library System and Museum System, guided visitors around the palaces of the university, libraries and historical collections.

Loggia, Palazzo Contughi-Gulinelli
Photo by Cristina Baldi, University Library System

Palazzo Contughi-Gulinelli
Via Savonarola, 38
44121 Ferrara

Building not accessible