The Demon of Palazzo Salina – Bologna, Italy - Atlas Obscura
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The Demon of Palazzo Salina

Bologna, Italy

This building features dozens of faces along its facade, although one is a bit chilling.  

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Alfonso Lombardi, protome for Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Nicolò da Volterra, protome for Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Alfonso Lombardi, protome for Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Alfonso Lombardi, protome for Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Bologna Arcade - terracotta detail. PHOTO BY Scgsweleven IS LICENSED UNDER CC BY-SA 3.0
Alfonso Lombardi, protome for Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Plaque by Francesco Bolognini on the facade of Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Bologne palazo Bolognini Amorini Salina. PHOTO BY VELVET IS LICENSED UNDER CC BY-SA 4.0
Alfonso Lombardi, protomes for Palazzo Bolognini Amorini, in Piazza Santo Stefano square (Bologna). PHOTO BY Giovanni Dall'Orto IS LICENSED UNDER CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
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One of the best ways to admire Bologna is by looking up. Visitors will find towers hidden between palaces, amazing architectural designs, and faces. 

Palazzo Salina Amorini Bolognini in Piazza Santo Stefano is an exquisite example of Bolognese Renaissance taste. The first stone was set in 1517, but for different reasons, edification was interrupted several times during the centuries. The final version was completed in 1884.

The entire facade of the palace is covered in capricci busts composed of terra cotta that jut from circular niches and gaze at curious onlookers. The artists behind the busts were Alfonso Lombardi and Nicolò da Volterra.

There are faces of ladies, warriors, gods, ancient Romans, and several of busts that feature various races and cultures. However, the most well-known is the bust of the demon, possibly a satyr. It’s not clear why this figure was placed prominently in the middle of the building, but is not the only face of a demon seen on a building around town. 

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Published
November 16, 2020
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Nearby
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