In the heart of Bologna’s historic city center, Piùesse presents a bespoke wellness project set within one of the city’s most fascinating and historically rich locations: Palazzo Bocchi, a high-end private residence where art, architecture, and wellbeing coexist in perfect harmony.
Considered one of Bologna’s most fascinating Renaissance buildings, Palazzo Bocchi was commissioned by the Bolognese humanist Achille Bocchi (1488–1562), a prominent cultural figure of his time, university lecturer, and founder of an important academy of studies.The building was constructed between 1545 and 1565 based on a design by architect Jacopo Barozzi, known as Vignola, with contributions attributed to Sebastiano Serlio and later interior interventions by Ottaviano Mascherino.
Since its inauguration in 1546, the palace has housed the Accademia Hermathena, a cultural and intellectual center founded by Bocchi himself. The name of the Academy combines Hermes, god of eloquence and ingenuity, and Athena, goddess of wisdom, symbolizing the perfect union of rhetoric and knowledge.
From an architectural standpoint, the palace represents a remarkable example of Renaissance design: the strong rusticated ground floor and the elevated base give the façade a sense of imposing solidity. Further enhancing the uniqueness of the building are the inscriptions commissioned by Bocchi: one in Hebrew—an extremely rare, if not unique, feature on a European monumental building—featuring a verse from Psalm 120 (“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue”), and another in Latin taken from Horace’s first epistle (“You will be king, they say, if you act rightly”).Inside, the rooms preserve precious 16th-century frescoes by Prospero Fontana, adorning the grand hall and bearing witness to the residence’s outstanding artistic value.
The project, led by architect Alessandro Battaglia, was developed according to the principles of scientific and conservation restoration, under the constant supervision of the Heritage Authority.The restoration of frescoes and historical surfaces was carried out with the utmost care, while the structural works were designed to be as minimally invasive as possible, preserving the building’s original identity.
Alongside this rigorous approach, the project introduces advanced technological solutions: the entire residence is equipped with an integrated home automation system, controllable via app, including sound diffusion and intelligent integrations also based on artificial intelligence systems. An invisible infrastructure that enhances the living experience without altering the aesthetic balance of the spaces.
The collaboration between the architectural studio and skilled artisans was also fundamental, particularly in the creation of custom-made furnishings, where the dialogue between past and present takes shape through materials, details, and high-level craftsmanship.
The heart of the wellness project is located in the basement level (-1) of the palace: previously unused spaces characterized by extraordinary ceiling heights—up to 5 meters—and openings that allow natural light to filter in.These areas have been completely restored and transformed into a refined private wellness space, capable of enhancing the original charm of the architecture while reinterpreting it in a contemporary key.
The wellness area includes:
Designed for exclusive use, the space can accommodate up to around twenty guests, offering the owner the opportunity to enjoy wellness moments with selected guests in total privacy. The experience can be further enhanced by the presence of professional massage therapists, turning every stay into a highly personalized journey.
The result is a new way of experiencing luxury: spaces inspired by public wellness environments, reinterpreted for strictly private use, where exclusivity means no sharing with strangers and complete freedom of use.
In this project, exclusivity is not only aesthetic—it is experience, research, and attention to detail. The private spa at Palazzo Bocchi represents the perfect expression of Piùesse’s evolved craftsmanship: a bespoke service in which every element, from design to technology, has been adapted to the context with precision and sensitivity.The result is a modular, sophisticated, and highly customized environment, designed for an international clientele and capable of combining historical value with contemporary comfort in a rare balance.
Piùesse offers architects, interior designers, hospitality venues, wellness centers, and sports facilities a dedicated Contract division for tailor-made wellness projects.From saunas to hammams, from hydromassage pools to dry floating, up to complex interventions such as Palazzo Bocchi: every solution is meticulously designed to deliver exclusive wellness experiences with the quality signature of Piùesse.
