Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera, Citta di Castello.......

Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera

The view from the palace loggia

Last week Nick and I spent a wonderful day with friends strolling around the narrow flagstone streets of Citta di Castello, a beautiful medieval town which lies 42 kilometres south of the Chestnut Barn...followed by a long delicious lunch at one of our favourite restaurants called Le Logge.

One of the highlights was a visit to the stunning Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera which was originally built between 1521 and 1545 to celebrate the marriage of Alessandro Vitelli and Angela Rossi. The palace now plays host as the Municipal Art Gallery and houses paintings and sculptures by a variety of artists, including the world renowned 

Raphael, who worked in Citta di Castello during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century. The banner of the Holy Trinity dates to 1499 and is the only remaining painting by Raphael that remains in Citta di Castello, it was one of the first works of art attributed to Raphael. The museum also houses a collection of bronzes by Bruno Bartoccini in the twenty one rooms dotted about the fresco covered ceilings and halls.

The rich black sgraffiti style decoration that is present on the facade is the collaboration of the famous Arezzo born artist Giorgio Vasari and Cristofano Gheradi. The embellished walls overlook the formal symmetrical gardens, which were once famous throughout Europe for their exotic plants....

Banner of the Trinity 

If you ever visit Citta di Castello there is lots to see and do, there are weekly markets and festivals, one of which includes the famous truffle festival which is held every October...For lunch or dinner I do recommend Le Logge which is located just off the main piazza, the food, wine list and service is first class, you will not be disappointed...to find out more you can read all about it in my second book...'Back to Tuscany and the Barn'... 

Ciao Catherine x