See the riches collected by three of Italy’s wealthy merchant families during the 16th and 17th centuries at the Pisa Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale). Built in the late 1500s as a holiday home for the Medici family, the museum now holds the Italian National Museum. In this capacity, it exhibits the works and artefacts acquired with the fortunes of the Medici, Lorena and Savoia families. Each family inhabited the palace at some point in the building’s long history. Tour the lavish structure to experience the trappings of the vast commercial wealth that supported Italy’s rise to cultural dominance in Europe during the Renaissance.
Located along the river right in the city’s historic centre, the Pisa Royal Palace is identifiable by its large size and bright yellow colour. Don’t be fooled by the building’s largely unadorned exterior. Inside, it is luxuriously decorated. Notice the little turret poking out of the roof Galileo is said to have used the turret for stargazing.
An extensive and varied collection of artefacts fills the inside of the Palazzo Reale. There are different styles of art, which correspond to the respective tastes of the three merchant families who lived here. Detailed tapestries by 16th-century Flemish artists, a wide range of ivory miniatures and the former Duchess of Florence Eleonora di Toledo’s gown collection are just a few of the wonders you’ll find in the museum.
Learn about Pisa’s long military history by browsing the roughly 900 pieces of 16th- and 17th-century armoury. Every artefact is well preserved, which is of little surprise Pisa’s premier organisation for the preservation of historical artefacts is also located within the building.
Located on the north bank of the River Arno, the Pisa Royal Palace is directly served by three bus lines. You can also walk here easily from anywhere in the city centre. Parking in the area is limited. Head to the south side of the river for metered parking. The palace is closed on Sundays, Tuesdays and public holidays. There is a fee to enter.
