House Museum Palazzo Sorbello: A Journey into the Drawing Room of Perugian Nobility

The House Museum of Palazzo Sorbello in Perugia is not a traditional museum, but a true “house museum” that offers an immersive experience into the life and style of one of Umbria’s oldest and most influential noble families—the Ranieri di Sorbello. With its original furnishings, rich art collections, and a historic library of inestimable value, the palace allows visitors to embark on a journey through time, reliving the atmosphere and traditions of the aristocracy from the 18th to the 20th century.

The History of a Palace and a Family

The museum is housed in the magnificent Palazzo Sorbello, an elegant 18th-century building overlooking Piazza Piccinino, in one of the most ancient and evocative areas of Perugia. For over three centuries, the palace was the principal residence of the Ranieri di Sorbello family, who preserved an invaluable heritage of furniture, books, and works of art. The last descendant, Marquis Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello—a distinguished intellectual and diplomat—established the Ranieri di Sorbello Foundation to preserve the residence and its contents, transforming it into a public museum dedicated to promoting the culture and history of the region.

The Collections: Art, Books, and Everyday Life

The museum route winds through both the state rooms and the private quarters of the palace, which retain their original purpose and décor. Each visit, always accompanied by a guide, offers an intimate and personal narrative of family life.

• The Noble Apartment: In the grand reception rooms, visitors can admire furnishings and decorations that reflect the family’s refined taste and distinguished history. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, with its 18th-century paintings and elegant ambiance, and the Ballroom, once the site of social events. Here are displayed paintings, porcelain, tapestries, precious clocks, and other fine objects that illustrate the prestige and cosmopolitan spirit of the Ranieri di Sorbello family.
• The Historic Library: One of the palace’s greatest treasures is its library, home to more than 10,000 volumes dating from the 15th to the 20th century. The collection includes incunabula, manuscripts, and early printed books, offering not only a glimpse into the family’s intellectual life but also into their enduring passion for history, politics, and literature.
• The Ethnographic Collections: The palace also preserves fascinating collections of Oriental artifacts, gathered by family members during their travels in the East—especially Chinese and Japanese objects that reflect the period’s fascination with exoticism.

A Cultural Mission

The House Museum is more than a place of preservation—it is a living cultural center. The Ranieri di Sorbello Foundation regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, conferences, educational workshops, and public events, with the mission of making the family’s cultural heritage accessible and using it as a means to connect the past with the present.

Visitor Information

• Address: Piazza Piccinino, 9, Perugia (PG)
• Contacts:
  • Phone: 075 5730419
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Official website: https://www.fondazioneranieri.org/
• Opening Hours:
  • Guided tours: Daily at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.
  • Self-guided visits: From 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Tickets:
  • Full ticket (House Museum, Ancient Library Wing, and Temporary Exhibition): €7.00
  • Combined ticket (House Museum, Exhibition, and Etruscan Well): €9.00

The House Museum of Palazzo Sorbello is a must-see for anyone wishing to combine the discovery of artistic heritage with an intimate glimpse into the everyday life of a noble family that helped shape the cultural and social history of Perugia.

Cover photo credits: Palazzo Sorbello House Museum