Palazzo Sturm

Palazzo Sturm is one of the most significant historic buildings in Bassano del Grappa, located on the left bank of the Brenta River.

Known today primarily for housing two major cultural institutions – the Ceramics Museum and the Remondini Print Museum – the palace stands as a testament to the artisanal, industrial, and artistic traditions that shaped the city across centuries.
 

Short History of Palazzo Sturm

The origins of Palazzo Sturm date back to the mid-18th century, in a period when Bassano del Grappa was experiencing both architectural expansion and economic diversification.

The palace was constructed in the district of Cornorotto, an area that already contained older structures, including a stretch of medieval walls, a tower, and a small nucleus of buildings from the 15th century.

Instead of demolishing these earlier constructions, they were integrated into the new palace, creating an architectural stratification that still characterizes the building.

Palazzo Sturm was commissioned by Vincenzo Ferrari, a wealthy industrialist and silk merchant.

Silk production played a crucial role in the local economy during the 18th century, and Ferrari sought to create a residence that would reflect both his financial success and his cultural ambitions.

For the architectural design, he relied on Abbot Daniello Bernardi, an amateur architect whose approach combined practicality with decorative flair.

The resulting plan was expansive: approximately seventy rooms distributed across seven different levels.

This vertical organization was not arbitrary. The upper floors housed the residence of the owner and his family, designed to impress guests and rivals alike.

These spaces featured large halls used for receptions and gatherings, ornamented with elements typical of the Rococo taste of the period – stucco reliefs, frescoes, carved decorations, and complex color schemes.

The entrance was particularly imposing, setting the tone for the palace as a symbol of prestige.

By contrast, the lower levels were dedicated to work. They had direct access to the Brenta River, an essential logistical advantage for transporting goods and powering industrial processes.
 

 
These floors contained workshops for silk production, as well as rooms for servants, storage areas, and functional spaces that enabled the commercial activities of the Ferrari family.

In 1765, one of the palace’s most important decorative campaigns began. The Venetian painter Giorgio Anselmi created frescoes for the entrance hall, depicting the Fall of the Giants and various allegorical figures that highlighted concepts such as power, virtue, and fate.

A year later, in 1766, an unknown artist produced the stucco decorations on the lower walls: these included representations of mythological subjects such as the Chariot of the Sun, the Seasons, Bacchus, Diana, Jupiter, and Mercury.

The most refined Rococo environment in the palace was the main floor, known for its alcove walls covered with wooden panels. These panels were intricately engraved and carved, and further enriched with tempera paintings by the Treviso artist Gaetano Zompini.

Palazzo Sturm underwent significant architectural modifications in the 19th century, when it belonged to the Vanzo Mercante family. During their ownership, the building was raised and expanded.

The belvedere-loggia, which had initially been open on three sides, was transformed and integrated into the roofline of the palace. This change altered the silhouette of the building, making it more massive and enhancing its visual relationship with the river landscape.

The final stage in the palace’s private ownership came in the 20th century. Baron Giovanni Battista Sturm von Hirschfeld bequeathed the building to the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa, transferring it from private residence to public heritage.

After this donation, the palace acquired its present name: Palazzo Sturm. From this moment, its destiny shifted from domestic prestige to cultural mission.

Restoration efforts during the late 20th century revitalized the palace and reorganized its interior spaces to house two museums.

Ceramics Museum

Since 1992, Palazzo Sturm has been home to the Ceramics Museum (Museo della Ceramica), an institution dedicated to one of Bassano del Grappa’s most important artistic and industrial traditions.

Ceramics have been produced in the region for centuries, and Bassano developed a distinct style characterized by careful craftsmanship, vivid colors, and technical innovation.

The museum’s collection includes approximately 1,200 ceramic pieces, covering a wide chronological range from Renaissance production to contemporary work.

The collection is composed of majolica, porcelain, and earthenware – materials that reflect different production techniques and aesthetic approaches.

Many of the most valuable items were produced by the Antonibon family, whose factory played a central role in the history of ceramics during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The museum is arranged to illustrate not just stylistic evolution, but also functional diversity. The upper rooms feature high-end ceramics such as vases, dishes, decorative objects, and ceremonial pieces.

On the lower level, ceramics of everyday use can be found – plates, bowls, domestic utensils, and storage containers – produced both for local households and for commercial distribution.

The setting of the museum is enriched by the palace itself. The rooms maintain much of their original architectural character, allowing visitors to experience ceramics in an environment similar to the era when they were created.

In addition to historical pieces, the museum hosts contemporary exhibitions, reinforcing the idea that ceramic production in Bassano is not only a preserved legacy, but a living tradition.
 

Remondini Print Museum

The second institution housed in Palazzo Sturm is the Remondini Print Museum (Museo della Stampa Remondini), inaugurated on September 15, 2007.

The Remondini family was one of the most influential printing dynasties in Europe between the 17th and 18th centuries. Their activity transformed Bassano del Grappa into an important center for mass-produced printed images, decorative papers, and book materials.

The Remondini business grew from a modest workshop into a commercial empire whose products circulated throughout Europe and even abroad.

They produced everything from religious engravings and devotional images to playing cards, wallpapers, didactic materials, and books.

Their success was based on two key strengths: technical innovation and a distribution network that anticipated modern marketing techniques.

The museum displays a wide range of materials: copperplates, woodcut blocks, printing tools, presses, decorated papers, sacred and secular engravings, children’s games, and books.

These artifacts illuminate the production process – from the initial engraving of a plate to the final printed sheet ready for distribution.

Among the museum’s most notable pieces are engravings by Albrecht Dürer, Andrea Mantegna, and Giambattista Tiepolo.

Their presence highlights the Remondini family’s cultural ambitions and involvement with some of the most important artistic movements in Europe.

Unlike many print museums that focus primarily on artistic value, the Remondini Museum reconstructs the industrial scale of printing in Bassano.

The museum also offers context for understanding the relationship between artistic production and economic strategy – showing how the Remondini combined creativity with entrepreneurship.

How to Get to Palazzo Sturm

Palazzo Sturm is centrally located in Bassano del Grappa, making it easy to access for visitors arriving by public transportation or on foot.

• On foot: The palace stands approximately 1 kilometer from the Bassano del Grappa railway station, a distance that can be covered in about 15–20 minutes.
• By bus: For those using public transport, the closest bus stop is located in Via Verci 2, roughly 180 meters from Palazzo Sturm. It is served by Bus Line 206, providing a quick and convenient connection from various points in the city.
• By car: Visitors arriving by car will find parking areas on the outskirts of the historic center, followed by a short walk to the palace, as vehicle access is limited in the immediate vicinity to preserve the historic streets.

 
Sources:

• MuseiBassano.it
• Wikipedia.it