Civic Museum at Palazzo della Penna

The Museo Civico di Palazzo della Penna (Civic Museum at Palazzo della Penna) is located at the foot of the Rocca Paolina fortress and hosts two permanent collections as well as occasional temporary exhibitions.

The main external features of the of the Palazzo date back to the 16th century when it was home to Arcipreti della Penna scion of a noble family of Perugia. The interior features a large cycle of neoclassical frescoes painted by Antonio Castelletti in 1812 and also late Baroque and 19th century decoration. The building amalgamates a variety of both modern and ancient elements spanning from Roman times to the present day.

The remains of the Marzio amphitheatre (1st century A.D.), later incorporated into a winding medieval street, served as the foundation for various additions spanning from the 15th century to the late Renaissance period. Major restructuring and decoration work with neoclassical overtones was carried out at the beginning of the 19th century.

The last major architectural modifications to the Palazzo were completed in the 1970s with the addition of a spectacular embedded spiral staircase in the courtyard, designed by Franco Minissi, which provides access to the two permanent collections : The Gerardo Dottori and Umbrian Futurists Collection and the Joseph Beuys Graphic Installation.