The wooden 16th century ceiling was restored in 1934-35. The
widely faded frieze was completed during a modern
restoration.
They both show a grotesque decoration with the emblem and the coat of
arms of cardinal Alessandro Sforza, legate of Bologna from
1569 to 1570.
The paintings have been compared with the stylistically similar
decoration of the main room in the castle of Torrechiara near Parma,
painted by Cesare Baglione for the Sforza family.
