Palazzo Re Enzo

Palazzo Re Enzo is a palace in Bologna, northern Italy. It takes its name from Enzio of Sardinia, Frederick II's son, who was prisoner here from 1249 until his death in 1272. The palace was built between 1244-1246 as an extension of the nearby Palazzo del Podestà, which had proven insufficient for the exigences of the Commune of Bologna. It was therefore initially known as Palatium Novum. Three years after the palace completion, Enzio was captured by the Guelphs at the Battle of Fossalta, and after a short stay in Anzola he was moved here, where he remained until his death. Enzio was allegedly left free within the palace by day, but by night he was kept into a cage hanging from the ceiling. He was also allowed to meet women: in his will he mentions three natural daughters, but a legend talks about a fourth son he had from a peasant, Lucia di Viadagola. The son was called Bentivoglio, from the words "Amore mio, ben ti voglio" that he said to his beloved, and he would be the ancestor of the Bentivoglio family, later rulers of Bologna. In 1386 Antonio di Vincenzo finished the Sala dei Trecento, which was to become the city's archive.

A 1-min walk from Piazza Maggiore
Address: Piazza del Nettuno, 1/C, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Architect: Alfonso Rubbiani