The rooms at Ferrara Architecture Faculty underwent considerable expansion operations in 2009 with the Tassoni Estense Palace area being completely reworked following a scientific restoration of the historical building, drawing to an end the process of founding a true university campus, set in the historical area of the historic Estense family city.
And so, in full operation, the institutional activities take on the intricate ensemble of buildings, coinciding with the monumental core of the patrician residence of the Tassoni Estense Family, intended for the expansion of rooms for nationally and internationally relevant didactics, research and cultural events.
Built during the Borso Addiction at the mid-15th century, close to the “Contrada della Ghiara”, the palace was commandeered from Ercole I d’Este by the ducal administrator Bonvicino dalle Carte in order to donate it to the Tassoni Estense Counts in 1476. The letter addressed to the Duke, whereby the architect Biagio Rossetti states that he is carrying out the renovations to the palace, dates back to the year 1491. The building was the residence of the Tassoni Estense Family until 1858. Throughout the twentieth century the structure housed numerous and diverse activities which downgraded the function and the original use of the complex. During the 1980s the Palace administration was taken up by the University and its development is included in the “Project for the Improvement of the Walls and the museums system of Ferrara”.
Since 1997 the Tassoni Estense Palace has been the subject of studies by the Architecture Faculty, which have led to a project and scientific renovations prepared by Pietromaria Davoli, Claudio Alessandri, Sante Mazzacane with the involvement of the Operative Centre of the Board of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Environmental Conservation of Ferrara, represented by Andrea Alberti.
In addition to its use for didactic activities, research and representation, part of the monumental district – chiefly the Hall connected to the courtyard with arcades and the large, first floor Honour Hall – hosts exhibitions and cultural events. Other rooms of the Palace are available for meetings, round-table discussions and seminars, following a scheduled timetable that works in closely with Institutions, Public and Private Companies, Production Organizations, Cultural Associations, both in Ferrara area and in the broader national and international arena.


Alfonso Acocella
XfafX Scientific Head