Villa Imperiale of Pesaro

The Villa Imperiale of Pesaro is a suburban palatial house outside of Pesaro, built and decorated by artists of the late-Renaissance or Mannerist period. It is now a private residence but the frescoed rooms and elaborate gardens are available for touring. History A castle at the site was supposedly built starting in 1452 by Alessandro Sforza while he was visited by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III . Construction continued until 1469. After various disputes, in 1521 Pesaro was conquered by Francesco Maria I Della Rovere . He commissioned the painter and architect Girolamo Genga to transform (1523-1538) the castle into an elegant Villa di Delizia . His wife, Eleonora Gonzaga later commissioned further refurbishment by Pietro Bembo , including completing the cortile d’onore (courtyard of honor). In 1635, the villa became part of the Medici with.