Villa Imperiale
The architectural complex enjoys a wonderful position on the mountainside of Mt. Accio - today Mt. San Bartolo - overlooking the valley of the river Foglia. The villa, one of the most beautiful Reinassance-style residences, was built in two stages: the most ancient one dates back to the second half of the 15th century and was commissioned by Alessandro Sforza; the first stone was placed by the Emperor Frederick III, from here the definition of "imperiale" (imperial).
The architecture is sober, and the building is square and dominated by a watchtower over the entrance portal bearing the coat of the Sforza. The other part of the structure was built by Francesco Maria della Rovere, who assigned the architectonic project to Girolamo Genga and whose aim was to transform it into a meeting and leisure place for famous artists and men of letters (Bernardo and Torquato Tasso, Baldassarre Castiglione, Pietro Bembo).
Further info (Italian text)
