| The Palazzo Ducale, as well as representing the symbol of the power of the duchy of the Caracciolo Family over the town, it is first and foremost the emblem of the town’s shift towards the Baroque. It was erected by Petracone V in 1668, as it is remembered on the epigraphic engraving on the trabeation, on the site where there used to be the ancient medieval castle belonging to the princes Orsini di Taranto (1388).
The project of the new abode was signed by G.A. Carducci from Bergamo and endorsed by the famous Bernini, who was at the time superintendent of the Kingdom of Naples, therefore in charge of overseeing all projects. The façade presents a late-mannerist style, perfectly divided by vertical and horizontal elements which echo the grand drawings of the Roman palaces.
The original project contemplated a U shaped set-up, i.e. the façade with an easterly and a westerly wing, and an open side towards the district with gardens and fountains. In reality the work was terminated by the successors of Petracone V, as it was a very expensive project. Francesco III Caracciolo erected the easterly wing in 1777, as it is reported in a cartouche on the Baroque balcony, while the westerly wing was realized during the 19th century. Lastly, during the 20th century, the closing wing of the courtyard was erected. These differences are highly noticeable when looking onto the atrium and inspecting the internal profiles.
The interior of the Palazzo Ducale is formed by an astonishing three hundred rooms, meant for the guest quarters, the royal apartment and the Galleria. Here it is possible to admire the tempera decorated rooms by Domenico Carella in 1776, according to a specific commendatory design depicting the Mito, the Bible and the Arcadia.
The Palazzo Ducale is nowadays occupied by the municipal offices, from the Courthouse to the municipal library and by the musical artistic centre “Paolo Grassi” who since 1975 has been looking after the Festival della Valle d’Itria. |