palazzo dei diamanti

The building is beautiful & unique from outside.The facade is made of about 8500 marble blocks cit in the shape of a diamond.Unfortunately we couldn't visit it inside & see the architecture as well as the exhibitions, because at 13:00 all was closed(on a Saturday).It seems that in Ferrara all the palaces, museums, churches, the botanical garden are sent "to take a nap" at midday.

Didn't really enjoy this much. Although there were some fine paintings every time we talked about them staff shot us grim glances and disapproving looks!

My wife and I agreed that this was the lead interesting place we visited in Ferrara, I would leave it for last .

Compared to the importance of the artistic production of Ferrara during the renaissance, only few movable works of art of the highest importance are left in Ferrara. The museum in the Palazzo dei Diamanti is just a mirror of this unfortunate history. So, first of all enjoy the street Ercole D'Este. It is not spoiled by shops and it gives an impression of how a residential street for nobility and the high bourgeoisie could have felt like. This is a rare feeling. Second, the architecture of the building is unique and interesting. The inside relatively well restored. Third: The art collection is worth visiting. Don't overlook the 5 small El Greco paintings. They are just marvelous. Spend most of your time too enjoy the small Cosme Tura panels (hélas on two! of the great master of Renaissance Ferrara) and to discover the well represented work by Garofalo.I was also toutched by the passion painted by Vicino de Ferrara and the works by Ortolano. Unfortunately Dosso Dossi is also not realy represented, The lighting and presentation of the works is below level.

As expected , most of the paintings had a religious theme, plenty of madonnas, lives of the saints etc.. Always good, though, to see inside of these old palaces.

Worth the walk from the main square in Ferrara, the Palazzo dei Diamanti is an unusual building with an excellent art gallery. While we were there, there was a first-rate special exhibit of Matisse figure paintings. The exhibit was of unexpectedly good quality for a city and gallery of this size.

We saw a fantastic Matisse exhibition here, well laid out and accessable setting. Fascinating building.

We only saw the outside but what a building! The walls covered in so many diamond shapes. We could imagine the blingy taste of the banker who built it centuries ago! Unfortunately it was closed so we couldn't see the exhibition inside - many palaces and museums are closed on Mondays

Lots and lots of religious paintings. No explanations in any language other than Italian. The audio guide was just about adequate, but only had explanations for a relatively small number of paintings.

Every show I have ever seen here has been fantastic. Do not miss. It's a brief walk from the town center.

I really expected more from this place. I didn't find it that impressive to be honest. Inner courtyard is just as unimpressive as the exterior of the Palazzo.

Impressive,focused,Matisse exhibit.Works are well displayed in chronological fashion and explanations are clear and conciseMany come from the Matisse Foundation in New York.Enjoy

At the first glance Ferrara seemed to be a bit sleepy and forgotten by the world on a very rainy and dark January evening. However, when walking from the car park to the city, we decided to see the current solo exhibition of the work by a Spanish painter (XVI century), We have experienced a very positive surprise. Not only that the presented works were partly breathtaking but also the way their were presented, described (bilingual commentaries on the walls), great lightning system, very well positioned on the wall but above all this- the place was full of the local audiences on bank holiday, Saturday evening!!!. Everybody finely dressed and really concentrated/engaged with the show. Wow!!! A great show and a fantastic realisation that places like Ferrara even if they are a museum it's a living one....

Like most tourists, I am delighted facade. Perhaps the most photographed building in Ferrara. It is also nice and inner courtyard. Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit the exhibition.

We have been to Ferrara twice and both times the special exhibition was superb,this visit Zuberain and last visit Corot. in addition the permanent collection is excellent.