Giulio Romano's House

Above the entrance door is a niche, which houses a statue of the god Mercury carved from original classic marble and probably restored by Primaticcio (1504-1570), one of Romano's pupils. Scornful, grotesque masks stand out from inside the arches at the top of the window tympanums. Although the exact number of original doors and windows still remains a mystery, there is no doubt that the house was lit up by colours, so much so that Vasari described is as having a "fantastic façade, crafted with colourful stucco". Today the house is in private ownership. The interior is also remarkable, not least the central hall and 16th century fireplace, which is embellished with frescoes by pupils of Giulio Romano.