One of the oldest and most stately palazzi in the centre of Bologna is in danger of being "wrecked", Italy's conservation body Italia Nostra warns .
The association has launched an appeal to Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli to stop a local bank building a new museum in 14th-century Palazzo Pepoli's courtyard .
"The courtyard will completely disappear, creating a dangerous precedent for anyone to put up constructions inside historic palazzi," Italia Nostra President Carlo Ripa di Meana said .
"I can't fathom why the culture ministry hastily approved this scheme, or why Bologna city council rubber-stamped it despite its own ban on any building work in monumental courtyards or gardens - even when they aren't listed buildings .
"It's no consolation that the project will house a vaguely defined 'Museum of the City', which Bologna simply does not need" .
Ripa di Meana, a former Green Party leader, said the museum planned by local savings bank Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna, was "totally inappropriate in such a location" .
Italia Nostra is determined to persuade Rutelli to step in and halt "this wretched idea, which will wreck the palazzo," he said .
Palazzo Pepoli was built for Taddeo Pepoli, Lord of Bologna, in 1344 .
It is one of the most splendid examples of Medieval military architecture to be found in the heart of the city .
Restored in 1925 and again in 1939, it is notable for its characteristic 14th-century mullioned windows .
