Palazzo Dipinto

Within Spilimbergo's castle courtyard, Palazzo Dipinto is distinguished by a frescoed façade attributed to Andrea Bellunello. Horses and grooms, the theological and cardinal Virtues, Gothic and Renaissance windows, and sculpted stone balconies preserve several phases of the palace's history.

Why it matters

The irregular ring of Spilimbergo's castle encloses a central courtyard above the Tagliamento. Palazzo Dipinto is one of its most prominent residences, rebuilt at the end of the fourteenth century over an earlier structure destroyed by fire. During the 1511 fire that damaged the castle after an earthquake, the southern wing was not rebuilt and Palazzo Dipinto was among the structures that survived.

What to notice

The façade frescoes, attributed to Andrea Bellunello, depict horses and their grooms alongside theological and cardinal Virtues. Two mullioned trifore belong to different periods: one is Gothic, while the Renaissance window dates to 1582. Sculptor Pilacorte contributed two triforated balconies and a projecting poggiolo, adding carved stonework to the painted façade.

Context and history

The palace is associated with the Spengenberg family, nobles of Carinthian origin who held Spilimbergo as ministeriales of the Patriarchate of Aquileia and guarded a major ford of the Tagliamento. The castle was repeatedly damaged, rebuilt and enlarged. Palazzo Dipinto's recorded guests include Charles V in 1532, Bona Sforza in 1566 and Henry III of France in 1574. Its façade and architectural details preserve the accumulated history of the castle complex.