Palace of Pizzute Stones – De Mattis Palace – Palazzo Patroni Griff
The Palazzo Patroni Griff, also known as the De Mattis Palace or the Palace of Pizzute Stones, is a historic noble residence in the town of Andria in the Apulia region of southern Italy. The building reflects the layered aristocratic history of the city and represents a characteristic example of Puglian noble architecture from the post-medieval period.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic noble palace
- Period
- 18th–19th century
- Style
- Puglian late-Baroque and Neoclassical
- Location
- Andria, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Puglia
- Coordinates
- 41.1527° N, 16.4110° E
Overview
The building is historically associated with the noble families of De Mattis and Patroni Griff, both prominent in the civic and economic life of Andria. Its popular name, Palace of Pizzute Stones, is believed to derive from distinctive stonework features visible on its facade. The palace stands as part of Andria’s rich architectural heritage, a city historically linked to the Hohenstaufen emperors and the Knights Hospitaller.
History
Andria was a key centre of Norman and Hohenstaufen power in medieval Apulia, and its noble families built substantial residences during the 18th and 19th centuries as their commercial and social influence grew. The De Mattis family, after whom the palace is also known, were among the principal landowners of the region. The building subsequently passed to the Patroni Griff family, whose name it now formally bears. Like many aristocratic palaces of southern Italy, it has undergone changes of ownership and use over the centuries.
What you see
The palace presents a stone facade characteristic of Puglian noble architecture, with the substantial masonry that gives rise to its popular name. The entrance portal and courtyard reflect the social aspirations of its original patrons, while the upper floors retain elements of domestic aristocratic planning typical of the region. The surrounding historic centre of Andria offers additional context for understanding the palace’s original urban setting.
Cultural significance
The palace is one of several historic noble residences in Andria that together document the social and architectural history of northern Apulia in the early modern period. Its association with the De Mattis and Patroni Griff families contributes to the understanding of Puglia’s landed aristocracy and their cultural ambitions during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Practical information
- Location
- Andria, Barletta-Andria-Trani province, Puglia
- Access
- Exterior visible from the street; check local sources for interior visits
- Opening hours
- Check official website or local tourism office for current access
Getting there
Andria is served by the Bari-Barletta railway line, with Andria station approximately 1 km from the historic centre. Regional buses connect Andria with Bari, Barletta, and Trani. The palace is located within the historic centre, reachable on foot from the main piazza.
Sources & resources
- Cultural Heritage Online — culturalheritageonline.com
- Comune di Andria — local heritage records