Palazzo Bondoni Pastorio

Palazzo Bondoni Pastorio historical palace – museum in an aristocratic palace. Itineraries among interweaved destinies

LANDSCAPES ROOM The room has a late Renaissance cross vault ceiling; it was decked in late XVII-early XIX century with several monochrome landscapes. Views of Pastorio's estates and Alto Mantovano landscapes are depicted in the lunettes, together with fantastic Roman ruins; the frescoes show a great attention to architectural aspects. Emblems of arts - above all music and theatre - are frescoed on the ceiling.
PERSONALITIES Since Pastorio's family has been living here for almost six centuries, the palace received its actual shapes in late XVIII century. Still, many destinies interweaved in its rooms.
The PASTORIO were for centuries the centre of Castiglione political, religious and cultural life. Their rising was first related to their military career; then they started the silk business. In XVII century, FAUSTO was the first secular abbot of Castiglione and was very important in the beatification of St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
During the tragic battle of June 1859, sisters CAROLINA and LUIGIA PASTORIO hosted HENRY DUNANT, who had the idea to found the Red Cross after seeing the women of Castiglione taking care of all the blessed soldiers.
General GIUSEPPE TELLERA received a gold campaign medal, after dying at the head of his soldiers during World War II.
The Foundation holds his and his family's archive.
In the Coat of Arms Room, coats of arms are depicted of several families from Mantua Verona and Brescia related to Pastorio's. It is a rare heraldic gallery, very interesting for its historical and iconographic meanings.
SYMBOLS The palace entrance hosts a statue of FRANCESCO GONZAGA, lord of CASTIGLIONE, sculptured by Giovanni Antonio Carra in 1610-1617.
The prince is depicted wearing the Golden Fleece and imperial Roman dresses, in a very Renaissance way.
AND MUCH MORE Like a case, the museum holds furnitures, an archive, a library, collections of paintings and prints.
Still, everyday objects - such as laces, toys, dresses - tell about the family's life and relations with Castiglione and Lombardy along the centuries.

Address: via Marconi n. 34 - Castiglione delle Stiviere
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.fondazione-bondonipastorio.eu