Although its origins are tied to a 15th-century castle that had been built by Borso d’Este, Marquis of Ferrara, the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo took its current form with the renovation ordered by Duke Francesco I d’Este, who decided to transform the ancient fortress into a delightful residence.

At the time, the Italian term “Delizia” (“delight”) was used to describe aristocratic estates dedicated to pleasant activities and relaxation; today, it evokes legendary stories, hunting scenes, tournaments and the delicate love stories that have filled so many books. In fact, the House of Este considered these sumptuous palaces like decentralized seats of the government, where power could be exercised through a network of relationships and double-dealings.