Fondazione Marini Clarelli Santi
On Perugia’s Via dei Priori stands an old palazzo occupying one side of a square, known as Piazza degli Oddi until the end of the 19th century, to which it gave its name. Today it’s a house museum with an art collection and archives open to visitors. The stone “Hostel delli Oddi” mirror in the entranceway advises passers-by of this noble residence’s grandeur, belied by its sober and imposing façade.
Legends and noble tradition have it that construction was begun during the 16th century after Guido degli Oddi acquired a domus (comprising a tower and garden) on the site in 1444, thus enabling him to build on this royal thoroughfare. The only remains of the original building are the floor below street level and on the ground floor a large hall with wooden beams which features a grand frieze of frescoes in late Mannerist style. The dwelling was considerably enlarged at the beginning of the 17th century, gaining ground on the street with the addition of the present-day façade completed in 1768.
The house museum is home to collections of antique furniture and paintings. The intimate and atmospheric garden of the residence surprises visitors with an enthralling panorama: a view, rather unlike that “dei Paesaggi” landscape painting in the antechamber, of the valley between Porta Santa Susanna and Porta Eburnea where greenery is interspersed with the tall buildings of the historical centre, all framed by the 18th century balustrade.
Contacts:
Address: Via dei Priori, 84 - 06123 Perugia PG
Phone: 075 5721009
Email: perugia@sistemamuseo.it
