what is a palazzo

A palazzo is a large, imposing building, such as a museum or a place of residence, especially in Italy. Palazzi were originally built as townhouses, with the ground floor often serving as commercial premises. The term "palazzo style" refers to an architectural style of the 19th and 20th centuries based upon the palaces built by wealthy families of the Italian Renaissance. Palazzo style buildings draw on the appearance of an Italian palazzo or townhouse, such as projecting cornices, and are characterized by their grandeur and elegance. Palazzo pants, on the other hand, are a type of comfortable trousers that flare out from the knees as they move down to the legs.