Menz Palace
Sightseeing attraction | Bolzano | Trentino-Alto Adige | Italy
The Menz Palace, a baroque jewel in Bolzano, South Tyrol, was built in 1670 and acquired by the esteemed Menz merchant family in 1753. This family, prominent members of the Bolzano patriciate, extensively renovated the palace and adorned it with intricate decorations.
An outstanding feature of the palace is the ballroom on the main floor, decorated with Rococo frescoes by the renowned painter Karl Henrici. The ceiling is adorned with the fresco "Triumph of Love among the Gods of Olympus" from 1776, while the walls depict a "Masquerade in the Park", a motif common in the Venetian art tradition. Henrici's works, influenced by his time in Venice and the school of Tiepolo, showcase elegant gardens with festively dressed individuals dancing, making music, or flirting. In adjacent rooms, Chinoiserie, popular at the time, can be found, depicting exotic scenes with Chinese and Indian figures, gardens, sea landscapes, and fantastical fauna. Typical of Henrici's style are the numerous trompe-l'œil effects that deceive and captivate the viewer.
Today, a bank is located in the Menz Palace, but the magnificent ballroom can be visited by appointment. A visit to this architectural and artistic masterpiece offers a deep insight into the baroque splendor and cultural history of Bolzano.
