D is also for Diamonds...so my ABCW post this week is about Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. (Diamanti is Italian for diamonds.) The outer wall of the palazzo is covered in large marble blocks cut to look like diamonds. It is a very unique looking structure! It was built around 1500 and is a striking example of European Renaissance architecture. I believe it was once home to the Este family (what wasn't in that part of the country?!)
My mother and I had hoped to tour the National Art Gallery now housed in this building, but alas it was closed the day we were wandering around this section of the city and we never did make it back during our time in Ferrara. But we got up close and personal with the exterior, and also were able to stroll around the inner courtyard. I would love to visit Ferrara again someday...it is a fascinating city. If (when) I return, I would love to rent a bicycle while there - cycling is "the" mode of transportation around this place.
Here are some photos of the Palazzo dei Diamanti taken last August...
Check out more D-lightful posts on Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday website!
8 comments:
Hi Anne, Happy Birthdays to your two daughters.
This is a wonderful photo collection. I'm afraid I didn't get a chance to visit here and I wish I had. The diamond shaped blocks on the exterior is pretty cool. What a beautiful courtyard too.
Thanks so much for sharing. Have a great week.
Happy birthday to your girls! And I love your palazzo photos. That facade is very unique and cool.
Happy Wednesday!
Love those exterior pyramids!
I have a daughter, too!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Wow very unique.
Dairy Queen
Chubskulit, ABC Wednesday Team
(lol..I almost wrote D is for Daughters too!)
I love these photos. The architecture is amazing!
Thanks Kathy, Ferrara is beautiful and filled with wonderful nooks and crannies and museums! I hope to get back someday.
Annie, it is quite amazing in person! Like a 3D optical illusion.
Roger, yay, daughters are awesome (so are dads of daughters!)
thanks chubskulit!
Suzi, that would have been a neat coincidence. Thanks, I loved all the angles on the facade, can't imagine carving all those marble blocks!
happy birthday to your daughters. and Palazzo dei Diamanti was a good choice for this week.
Love the outside of this museum. I need to go back and visit it again someday. So glad you got to spend time in Ferrara! Very cool photos!
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