For centuries, Palazzo Lantieri has been a landmark and a cultural centre for Gorizia and its County, as well as for the whole of Mitteleuropa.

Built in the 14th century to defend the south-eastern entrance to the city, the original fortress was gradually expanded and embellished, eventually transforming into the noble palace that welcomed illustrious figures over the centuries. Among them were the Royal House of France, Pope Pius VI, Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria, Napoleon, and prominent cultural figures such as Goethe, Schiller, Goldoni, Pietro Metastasio, Casanova and Lorenzo Da Ponte, many of whom mentioned the palace in their works.