Palazzo Viceconte

Palazzo Viceconte is situated in the area corresponding to the ancient square of Matera, specifically in the center of Civita, the historic heart of the city.
This site was the primary gathering place during the Roman era and throughout the Byzantine, Lombard, Saracen, and Norman periods, continuing until the second half of the 13th century when the Cathedral was constructed.

The palace was built by the descendants of Nicolò Venusio, a figure whose history is closely intertwined with the events of the Turkish conquest and occupation of Otranto in 1480. Nicolò Venusio, originally from Amalfi, arrived in Matera in the mid-15th century. After the Turks seized Otranto, Venusio, driven by personal motivations and a sense of duty, funded and assembled a group of soldiers, joining the expedition from Matera that eventually led to the liberation of Otranto. This act earned him the gratitude of the Neapolitan court and established the foundation for the future rise of his family’s fortunes.

Construction of the building began in the latter half of the 16th century, with the northwest section being the first part constructed. Later, on the opposite side, a private chapel dedicated to the Madonna dei Sette Dolori was erected in the mid-17th century. Soon after, the main façade of the building was completed, incorporating the two earlier structures and expanding the building along the eastern side.

The palace took on the characteristic form of a building with an open internal courtyard on the north side. In the mid-18th century, a northern section was added to link the various parts of the building, enclosing the internal courtyard.

In 1749, the Venusio family acquired the fief and the title of Baron of Turi from the Moles family, who had incurred a substantial debt with them. This acquisition shifted the family’s focus toward Turi, where they concentrated on enhancing their property. In 1797, Giuseppe Venusio was granted the title of Marquis of Turi by King Ferdinand IV.

From the latter half of the 19th century, the palace began to experience gradual decline, culminating in its sale by the original owners in 1950. Over the following decades, the building suffered significant deterioration, along with severe alterations and mutilations.

Following its acquisition by the current owners, the Viceconte family, in 1994, the palace underwent an extensive restoration to return it to its original state.

The restoration of Palazzo Viceonte 
The restoration of Palazzo Viceconte presented significant challenges for the new owners, who were drawn to its architectural grandeur, historical significance, and commanding position overlooking the Sassi of Matera. However, they were also confronted with the extensive damage caused by years of neglect and misguided alterations, which had severely compromised the integrity of the building. The scale of the restoration project required immense dedication, enthusiasm, and perhaps even a degree of boldness in the face of its complexities.

The first decision to be made was the choice of restoration approach. A project designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano, which proposed substantial modifications to the building, including extensive demolitions and daring interventions to modernize the structure, loomed as a potential path forward. While the owners were intrigued by the prestige associated with Piano’s involvement, they ultimately opted to restore the palace as faithfully as possible to its original form. They believed that preserving the architectural wisdom and craftsmanship of the original masters was the most respectful and appropriate course of action.

The restoration process involved meticulous research to uncover the remnants of the original construction, enabling the removal of previous incongruous modifications and the reconstruction of the building’s original architectural elements. Antique materials, including original windows, doors, and magnificent portals, were carefully restored and reinstalled, and the original wall decorations were revived.

Today, Palazzo Viceconte stands as a quintessential example of a noble courtyard-style building typical of Southern Italy. Its structure reflects local building traditions, from the use of tuff stone as the primary material to its arrangement of spaces. The underground levels were originally used as storage and wine cellars; the ground floor served as accommodation for servants and storage, while the upper floor, accessed via a monumental staircase, housed the living quarters and elegant reception areas for the owners.

Currently, Palazzo Viceconte serves as the primary residence of the Viceconte family, while also welcoming guests and hosting a variety of events, including conferences, concerts, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, ceremonies and dinner parties.