Starting from the Porta Parmigiana, going down, the first intervention typical of the 17th-18th century renewal of Pontremoli is the Palazzo Zucchi Castellini, located about a hundred meters from the gate. In fact, around the gates, no major building transformations took place because they were areas of military relevance, traditionally considered not very prestigious areas. The building, with an austere facade, has no courtyard but only a large staircase and will be heavily remodeled in the neoclassical era.

The interiors stand out for the richness of the frescoes on the main floor where, among others, we find medallions beautifully frescoed by Niccolò Contestabili: the medallions alternate the representation of a mythological scene and an aerial group of cherubs fluttering in a sky of leaden clouds. The mythological subjects are more interesting due to the variety of the subject matter even if in reality in these works the artist reveals himself rather impassable in the representation of the figures that appear rigid in their neoclassical approach.

Also worthy of particular attention are the refined stucco decorations, the work of the Portuguese workshop, which can be observed in other rooms of the building.

(taken from “Dwellings of Pontremoli” by Isa Trivelloni Manganelli, 2001 and “Two Centuries of Baroque Painting in Pontremoli” by R. Bossaglia, V. Bianchi, L. Bertocchi)