Palazzo Casali is a palace located in the Tuscan town of Cortona that was built by the Casali family, who ruled over the town in the 13th century. It was only a family residence until 1409 and, thereafter, became the Palazzo Pretorio, which was occupied by the city’s Florentine captains. Today, it houses the City Museum and, on the first and top floors, the library and museum of the Accademia Etrusca. A beautiful building and an excellent and historic museum, it is a worthwhile little visit to pop into your itinerary if you are a culture vulture that has found a vacation rental in Cortona.
The façade that is visible today can probably be attributed to Filippo Berettini and was executed at the beginning of the 17th century and the rear façade, looking onto Via delle Carceri, is particularly lovely. From the main Palazzo Casali entrance, you pass through a 17th century carved doorway, into a large atrium that is decorated with coats of arms and opens into a courtyard. Particular architectural elements to take note of are the two staircases and the 16th century sandstone fountain commissioned by Bettino Ricasoli.
The façade that is visible today can probably be attributed to Filippo Berettini and was executed at the beginning of the 17th century and the rear façade, looking onto Via delle Carceri, is particularly lovely. From the main Palazzo Casali entrance, you pass through a 17th century carved doorway, into a large atrium that is decorated with coats of arms and opens into a courtyard. Particular architectural elements to take note of are the two staircases and the 16th century sandstone fountain commissioned by Bettino Ricasoli.
It was in the 18th century that the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Giangastone de' Medici, made the top floor the Etruscan Academy and it developed over the years, with the first floor being additionally granted to the organisation after WWII. Much later, in the 2000s, the city museum was established and now the palace is a great place to start a trip in the city as it lays out its entire origins, history and development, going back to the Prehistoric and the Protohistoric Ages.
On display in the museums, you will find remnants of monumental ancient tombs that have been found in the area, funerary objects, coins, bronzes, ceramics, gold items of jewellery and other objects, earthenware pieces, and archeological materials, from the Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Periods. There is also the Etruscan Academy Art Gallery, which is home to 13th to 17th century works by painters such as Maestro della Pala di Avignone, Pinturicchio, Signorelli, Bartolomeo della Gatta, Niccolò di Pietro Gerini, Taddeo Gaddi, Spinello Aretino, Pietro Berrettini, Piazzetta and Baccio Ciarpi. There are also art objects coming from one of the town residences of the Tommasi family such as 18th century furniture, paintings, weapons, ornaments, ladies’ fans, China, butlers’ liveries and more.
On display in the museums, you will find remnants of monumental ancient tombs that have been found in the area, funerary objects, coins, bronzes, ceramics, gold items of jewellery and other objects, earthenware pieces, and archeological materials, from the Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Periods. There is also the Etruscan Academy Art Gallery, which is home to 13th to 17th century works by painters such as Maestro della Pala di Avignone, Pinturicchio, Signorelli, Bartolomeo della Gatta, Niccolò di Pietro Gerini, Taddeo Gaddi, Spinello Aretino, Pietro Berrettini, Piazzetta and Baccio Ciarpi. There are also art objects coming from one of the town residences of the Tommasi family such as 18th century furniture, paintings, weapons, ornaments, ladies’ fans, China, butlers’ liveries and more.
Additionally, there are some rather extraordinary views over the surrounding landscape to enjoy, as well. It is truly an underrated gem in Cortona!
Opening hours: April-October: everyday 10am – 7pm; November-March: Tuesday - Sunday 10am – 5pm. Closed on 25th December.
Opening hours: April-October: everyday 10am – 7pm; November-March: Tuesday - Sunday 10am – 5pm. Closed on 25th December.
Photo credits
picture 1: Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Patrick Denker / CC BY 2.0
picture 1: Geobia / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Patrick Denker / CC BY 2.0