12 Palazzo Porto in Piazza Castello

The impressive section of palace which forms the backdrop to Piazza del Castello is the compelling testimony to the unfortunate demise of a Palladian initiative. To the left of the fragment the old Quattrocento home of the Porto family is clearly visible, though it had been destined for gradual demolition as construction of the new palace advanced: given the results one cannot but appreciate the farsighted prudence of the patron, Alessandro Porto. The dating is uncertain, though undoubtedly after 1570.
The location of the Palazzo, as backdrop to the Piazza, made necessary an accentuated monumentality capable of dominating this great open space.
In all likelihood the Palazzo was intended to grow to seven bays in length and have a courtyard concluding in an exedra, as analysis of the surviving walls demonstrates. It is unclear what circumstances halted the construction, which Vincenzo Scamozzi declared he had personally carried to its present, partial, completion in 1615.

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