The Piono Nobile

The piano nobile or ‘noble’s floor’ was built on the front roof as the principal reception room of the house, with a small chapel adjacent to it. It served as the main living room for the family, entertaining relatives, business partners or distinct personalities. In addition to it the open terrace served well when weather permitted.

MORE: The piano nobile was later plastered, painted yellow and decorated with successive frescoes till the 1920s. The ceiling, originally supported by chestnut-wood beams, was painted with floral motifs. The wooden beams had to be changed in 1997 as they underwent severe damages from neglect, seeping rain-water, insects and woodlice. Besides graffiti of maritime vessels, the walls of retain a unique graffito from the Great Siege of 1565. It shows an Ottoman Janissary Commander, with the typical 15th century head-dress still used in 1565, long dress, pointed shoes and holding a harquebus - an early type of rifle.

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