In 1793 Bolognese architect Angelo Venturoli opened in Strada Maggiore 45 the construction site of a magnificent house for the princely line of the Hercolani family, which was completed in the early 19th century. Moving from Faenza in the 15th century this family of jurists accumulated relevant wealth thanks to their activity as drapers, and came to hold important government posts, including the title of Princes of the Holy Roman Empire'. (Another palace in S. Stefano 30 housed the family's senatorial line). In his design the architect recalled clear Classical forms from the 16th-century architectural tradition, for example in the façade, while the grand staircase - the last of monumental staircases built in Bologna - echoed Baroque taste and theatricality. Here the sculpted decoration was entrusted to G. De Maria, while the above vault depicting the apotheosis of Hercules was painted by F. Pedrini. The latter, in co-operation with F. Minozzi also painted the ceremonial hall, today Aula Ruffilli, in the main floor with the allegory of 'Apollo and the Hours' enclosed in a monochrome setting of mock architecture animated by harpies, small genies, medallions and four busts of 'modern' poets, including Dante. Also two rooms decorated with chinoiserie by V. Armani e D. Zanotti are also worthy of mention, while several artists (Frulli, Busatti, Basoli ... ) participated in the decoration of the nearby rooms. On the ground floor particularly noteworthy is Boscherecciapainted in 1810 by R. Fantuzzi in a room with curved walls as an introduction for the magnificent winter garden (by Martinelli). The palace now houses the Faculty of Political Sciences of Bologna University, which bought it from the Hercolani family in 1973.