Palazzo Mazzetti

About the museum

Palazzo Mazzetti takes its name from the Mazzetti family, one of the richest and most influential in Asti. It took shape in the second half of the 17th century by joining several medieval houses; the marquis Giulio Cesare II enlarged it, making it a symbol of the family's prestige. Illustrious guests included James Stuart III in 1717, King Charles Emmanuel III in 1727 and Napoleon I in 1805.

Between 1751 and 1752, under the direction of the architect Benedetto Alfieri, the grand staircase, the Salone d'Onore and other reception rooms were built. The Cassa di Risparmio di Asti bought the palazzo in 1937 and in 1940 entrusted it to the city to house the museum and the civic picture gallery; since 2001 it has belonged to the foundation of the same bank. After a complete restoration and a new display, the museum reopened in December 2011.

The civic collections began in 1887 with an archaeological room and grew through donations, such as the works of Michelangelo Pittatore (1902) and the Eastern collection of Enrico Secondo Guglielminetti (1920). Today the palazzo holds paintings and sculptures of the 19th and 20th centuries, with a Risorgimento section, modern and contemporary art, Eastern objects such as porcelain, antique textiles from the Gerbo collection and wooden miniatures by Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo. The palazzo also hosts exhibitions.

Highlights

• Pilgrimage to Oropa by Lorenzo Delleani (1895)
• Coronation of the Virgin by the Master of San Martino Alfieri (1503–1504)
• The Three Graces by Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo
• Eastern collection with Arita porcelain (Edo period)
• Alcove with stuccoes by Lugano masters of 1684
• Staircase and Salone d'Onore by Benedetto Alfieri

Operated by

Fondazione Asti Musei

Visitors per year

approx. 15,827 (2022)

Admission & discounts

The €5 ticket is valid for a single site of the Smarticket network. Schools: €3 for one site, €5 with a guided tour, €8 with a guided tour and workshop. Free admission also for tourist guides, accredited journalists, one companion per group and two teachers per class; the Abbonamento Musei, the Torino+Piemonte Card and the Coupon Crasti are accepted. With the Passaporto culturale (Cultural Passport, initiative “Nati con la cultura”) admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The palazzo is accessible via ramps or internal lifts, with staff assistance for using the lift; a wheelchair can be booked and folding chairs are available. Only assistance dogs for blind and partially sighted people are admitted. For each museum, social stories in video and PDF are available for visitors with autism.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum has a family room with a nursing area; educational workshops and children's programmes by booking (didattica@fondazioneastimusei.it).

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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