Palazzo Chigi

About the museum

The palace in Ariccia began as a medieval and Renaissance castle of the Savelli family. Cardinal Silvio Savelli (1550–1599) enlarged it at the end of the 16th century to a design by the architect Carlo Lambardi, having the west wing built facing Rome. In 1661 the fief was bought by the Chigi family, who between 1664 and 1672 transformed the building into a baroque residence, with Carlo Fontana directing the works to a design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. In 1740 Augusto Chigi had the north-west wing built.

The palace is considered a true “time capsule”: it retains the original layout of the rooms and most of the furnishings, many of them designed by Bernini and his workshop. The piano nobile (main floor) revolves around the Sala Maestra and is divided into two independent wings: the east wing, reached by the main staircase, housed the apartment of the Chigi prince, with the summer dining room; the west wing, served by the black staircase, belonged to the firstborn and centres on the Sala dell'Udienza, known as the Salone Giallorosso.

The State bought the palace in December 1988 and began a long restoration, covering the structures, over 90% of the movable furnishings and the park. In 2008 the Museo del Barocco was inaugurated, housed on the mezzanine of the west wing: it holds about three hundred works, mostly 17th- and 18th-century paintings of the Roman school, largely from donations and bequests, displayed in the traditional picture-gallery arrangement of Roman residences.

Highlights

• Piano nobile with original furnishings, many designed by Bernini and his workshop
• Sala Maestra, Sala dell'Udienza (Salone Giallorosso) and summer dining room
• Museo del Barocco with about three hundred works, mostly Roman paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries
• Stanze del Cardinale (Cardinal's Rooms)
• Historic park with centuries-old trees (currently closed to the public for extraordinary maintenance)

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo del Barocco – About three hundred works, mostly Roman paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries, displayed in picture-gallery arrangement on the mezzanine of the west wing.
• Piano nobile e appartamenti storici – Rooms with original furnishings, largely designed by Bernini and his workshop, divided into two independent wings around the Sala Maestra.

Visitors per year

approx. 38,000

Admission & discounts

The full ticket of €12 (€9 reduced) gives admission to the free visit of the piano nobile, the Stanze del Cardinale and the Museo del Barocco. Other free admissions: school groups from Ariccia, residents of Ariccia over 65, accompanying teachers, licensed tourist guides, journalists with a press card and accreditation request, authorised scholars. Military personnel and police officers on duty, and permanent teachers of state and municipal schools, are also entitled to a reduction, with documentation. Tickets can also be bought online via TicketOne.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The funicular runs every day from 6:00 to 1:00; information on 346 080 4857.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Online shop with books on the palace and the area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The palace is available as a location for photographic, film and television shoots; the website also has sections on weddings, concerts and conferences.

Plan your visit