Delizia Estense di Benvignante

This work by the court architect, Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini, was carried out for Borso d'Este and is an excellent example of the refined, elegant Ferrarese style during the Renaissance period.

Build in 1464 under the authority of Borso d'Este, it testifies to the sober and rafined elegance of Ferrara architecture in the Reinassance period.

Although the building is in the category of a country villa, it also played an important role as both a defensive outpost and as a symbol of political power. This might was represented by the vaulted, turreted tower in the centre of the building. The coat of arms gazes out over the brickwork arched entrance and is yet another sign of the splendour of times gone by.

It was erected in a place near the Primaro river to spend days dictated by rest and tranquillity.

The name "Delizia Estense", which means delight of the House of Este, appears almost as a welcome greeting or a wish, and might come precisely from this.

The strategic position, moreover, that allows to dominate the surrounding land, was in all probability designed not only as a place of rest and leisure, but also with functions of control over Argenta territory, hinge of the Duchy with the Romandiola (Latin for Romagna) under the Este family. Despite being basically a country villa, in fact, it covered, as was often the case with the Delizie Estensi, both a defensive function and a political representation of the power of House of Este, as evidence by the batlements and the spectacular decorated full-arch entrance.

The building, now owned by the Municipality of Argenta, is being renovated but is freely accessible from the outside with its beautiful and welcoming park.