Descrizione
Palazzo Cassi, situated in the heart of San Costanzo, is an elegant historic residence of extraordinary cultural and architectural significance, a symbol of the village’s aristocratic and intellectual tradition. Built in the 18th century by the Cassi family of Pesaro as a summer residence, the palace is the result of the harmonious union of three residential properties: Palazzo Mei, purchased by Count Francesco Cassi in 1814, and two palaces that previously belonged to the Diotallevi family. Francesco Cassi, an enlightened patron of the arts, transformed this residence into a veritable cultural centre, dubbing it the ‘Ateneo d’Italica sapienza’ (Academy of Italic Wisdom) due to its popularity amongst artists and intellectuals. Among its distinguished guests was Giulio Perticari, a celebrated man of letters, who spent the final days of his life in one of the palace’s rooms, where he passed away in 1822, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural history of San Costanzo, along with his wife Costanza Monti, daughter of the renowned poet Vincenzo Monti.
Until a few years ago, the building housed the San Costanzo Town Hall, but following a thorough restoration, completed in 2013, it has been returned to the community as a vibrant cultural and social centre. On the ground floor are the ‘A. Betti’ municipal library, a media centre and rooms dedicated to conferences and exhibitions. The first floor, known as the ‘piano nobile’, houses an art gallery featuring works from the 16th to the 18th centuries, including ecclesiastical paintings such as *The Baptism of Emperor Constantine* by Terenzio Terenzi, known as ‘il Rondolino’, and a fresco depicting the Madonna and Child, which is currently undergoing conservation work. The latter, originally from the Cemetery Church, displays stylistic features reminiscent of ‘Pierfrancescan’ influences.
Among the historical curiosities, a papal bull issued by Fra Raphael Riphoz – one of the inquisitors in the trial of Galileo Galilei – stands out, as does the Napoleonic Room, which houses lithographs relating to the transfer of Napoleon Bonaparte’s remains. This floor also houses a section dedicated to protohistoric settlements and the Picene necropolis, with artefacts dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries BC.
On the second floor are the ‘Maschere del Castello’ (Castle Masks), unique creations by the designer Anna Lorenzetti inspired by tarot cards and the medieval Three Wise Men, as well as a collection of works by Roberto Natale Patrizi, known by his artist name Agrà, depicting landscapes of the hinterland. Rounding off the cultural offering is a photographic exhibition curated by Paolo Alfieri, documenting rural life and local traditions. The charming, renovated inner courtyard hosts concerts and cultural events, cementing Palazzo Cassi’s role as a guardian of historical memory and the hub of cultural life in San Costanzo.
