The Duke then conceived a wish to fortify Pesaro, and had invited Pier Francesco of Yiterbo, a very excellent architect, to take part in the work; but in all the discussions that intervened respecting the fortifications, Girolamo Genga constantly gave his opinion, all he said being held for good and full of judgment; whence, if it be permitted to me to say so much, the design of that fortress was rather due to Girolamo than to any other, although that kind of architecture was ever very lightly esteemed by that master, because it appeared to him to be but of little value or dignity.
Perceiving how rare a genius he had at his command in Girolamo Genga, the Duke resolved to construct another and entirely new palace, at that same Mount of the Imperiale, and to erect it near the older edifice. He accordingly caused to be completed the one which we now see there, a most beautiful and admirably arranged fabric, amply supplied with handsome apartments, and richly adorned with colonnades, extensive courts, loggie, fountains, and most delicious gardens, insomuch that no Princes pass that way who do not go to visit the same; and it has even merited to receive the honour of a visit from Pope Paul III., who, when on his way to Bologna, went with his whole court to see the place, with which he was entirely satisfied.
It was after the design of the same artist, that the Duke caused the court of the palace at Pesaro to be restored; and in the smaller Park he made Genga construct a house with the form and appearance of a Ruin. This also is an object very pleasant to see: among other things to be remarked there, may be mentioned a staircase, similar to that of the Belvedere in Rome, and which is singularly beautiful.[1] Girolamo was likewise employed by the Duke to restore the Fortress of Gradara, and the Court of Castel Durante; all that is good in those works is indeed entirely due to this admirable genius. It was he who built the Corridor which passes around the court above the Garden at Urbino; and
- ↑ Bottari remarks that the staircase here meant is the spiral stair constructed by Bramante for the Palace on the Quirinal in Rome, and adds the observation, that there is one of similar character in the Borghese Palace, with another, which he designates “most beautiful,” erected by Bernini in the Palazzo Barberini.
