Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
24 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
24 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
25 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
26 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Imola Palazzo Monsignani già Sassatelli

Palazzo Monsignani già Sassatelli

The location where a famous medieval knight was murdered.

Imola, Italy

Added By
Marco Dst
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Entrata 1   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Entrata 1   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Entrata   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
  Marco Dst / Atlas Obscura User
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Cortile 2   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Colonne 2   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Colonne   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli 13   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Dettaglio Colonna 2   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli esterno   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Palazzo Monsignani Sassatelli Dettaglio Colonna 1   Photo by Dst81 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

During the carnival of 1501, Cesare Borgia was ruling Imola.

One of his knights, Guidarello Guidarelli, lent a beautiful shirt with gold embroidery to a warrior named Virgilio Romano. He intended to wear it at a masquerade carnival party. But when Romano decided not to return the shirt, a duel ensued. It was in Palazzo Sassatelli, now Palazzo Monsignani, where the fight began and where it's said Romano mortally wounded the beautiful knight.

An impressive tombstone dedicated to the knight is housed at the Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna (MAR). For centuries, legend had it that if a single woman kissed the statue, she would soon be married.

It's unknown if the duel actually took place. Other tales state that Duke Borgia killed and beheaded the knight because he suspected Guidarelli was a spy for the Republic of Venice.

The building itself was constructed in 1522 by the Sassatelli Family. In the internal courtyard, there is a portico with a wonderful loggia complete with sandstone columns. The building also contains emblems of Giovanni Sassatelli, also known as Cagnaccio, who once headed the Guelph faction in the city.

Related Tags

History & Culture Buildings Architecture

Know Before You Go

This is a private building, so access is allowed only into the internal courtyard, which during the summer provides a romantic setting for concerts.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Marco Dst

Published

August 20, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Palazzo Monsignani già Sassatelli
69 Via Emilia
Imola, 40026
Italy
44.354358, 11.712032
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Farmacia dell’Ospedale Santa Maria della Scaletta

Imola, Italy

miles away

Vicolo Inferno

Imola, Italy

miles away

Piazza Matteotti

Imola, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Imola

Imola

Italy

Places 6
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Farmacia dell’Ospedale Santa Maria della Scaletta

Imola, Italy

miles away

Vicolo Inferno

Imola, Italy

miles away

Piazza Matteotti

Imola, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Imola

Imola

Italy

Places 6
Stories 1

Related Places

  • London, England

    The Ostler's Hut

    This is London's smallest listed building.

  • Granary in Jankowo up close

    Jankowo, Poland

    Walter Gropius's 1906 Spichlerz

    A Bauhaus co-founder designed this quirky, abandoned granary.

  • The Yokohama Customs Headquarters.

    Yokohama, Japan

    Yokohama Customs “Queen’s Tower”

    The Port of Yokohama’s customs headquarters building resembles a Moorish kasbah, complete with a minaret.

  • Army & Navy Building

    Mumbai, India

    Army & Navy Building

    This 19th-century heritage building once housed a department store that supplied British provisions in the city.

  • Rijal Alma

    Rijal Alma, Saudi Arabia

    Rijal Alma

    A 900-year-old village located in the highland of the Asir region that features historic architecture.

  • Wortley, England

    Wortley Hall

    This once private residence is now a popular wedding venue and training center for trade union officers.

  • Gooderham Building

    Toronto, Ontario

    Gooderham Building

    Known as "Toronto's Flatiron."

  • The Ancient House

    London, England

    The Ancient House

    One of London's oldest houses contains a mixture of both old and modern features.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.