Sondrio, Palazzo Carbonera

Palazzo Carbonera in Sondrio is one of the most significant examples of the seigniorial architecture of city Renaissance. The palace is a typical 16th century building, which originally belonged to the Parravicini family. It stands in piazzetta Carbonera, i.e. the heart of the medieval Contrada di Cantone. The internal yard, which can be accessed from the entrance hallway of the most recent building, has a portico and a loggia on two orders, with arches based on stone columns and elegant capitals. The beautiful Renaissance façade is ornated by graffiti, which recall the lozenged decoration patterns typical of the 16th century aristocratic architecture of the Valtellina. The portals of the portico and upper loggia are decorated with symbols from the Parravicini coat of arms, as well as with dolphins and stylized flowers.