House Museum of Palazzo Sorbello – Opening Times & Other Info

Steps from Piazza IV Novembre and the Etruscan Well in Perugia’s historic center, the House Museum of Palazzo Sorbello (Casa Museo di Palazzo Sorbello) gives visitors a glimpse of what was once the residence of the noble Bourbon and Ranieri di Sorbello families.

Guided tours of about 30 minutes are available in both English and Italian during which visitors can view the various rooms, some with vaulted ceilings and frescoes where valuable collections of paintings, printed works, manuscripts from the 1400s, letters, porcelain service sets and 18^th century furniture are on display. An elaborate chandelier created in the 1700s by master glass artist Maestro Briati in Murano (Venice) hangs in one of the rooms. Only four of these ornate, multicolored glass chandeliers were ever made.

The impressive library contains some 20,000 books and publications from around the world including the full 1770 edition of the French Encyclopedia by Diderot and D’Alembert, printed in Tuscany. Several shelves contain a collection of children’s books in multiple languages.

Another important room is dedicated to Marchesa Romeyene Robert, the American wife of Ruggero Ranieri di Sorbello who founded the Ranieri di Sorbello School of Embroidery at the family’s villa near Lago Trasimeno in the early 1900s. The room showcases fabrics, tablecloths and cushions embroidered with a beautiful and detailed historic stitching technique called Umbrian Point, which was later named the Sorbello Point.

Opening Times and Other Info

Getting There

Walking From Piazza Partigiani Bus Terminal:

Take the series of escalators (scale mobili) located across the street from the bus station to arrive in Piazza Italia. From Piazza Italia walk straight on Corso Vannucci towards the cathedral. Walk around to the right side of the cathedral, following the group of stores along the right side of the street. You will eventually arrive (past Dempsey’s Bar and the entrance to the Pozzo Etrusco) in Piazza Piccinino. The museum is on your right at #9 right across from the stone well.

From Perugia Train Station (Fontivegge):

By Cab (Approx. €12): Taxicabs are usually waiting just outside and to the left of the train station front exit. It’s about a 10-minute ride to Piazza Italia. If no cabs are waiting call Perugia Taxi: 075 500 4888

By Bus (€1.50 single trip): Buses leave from the front of the main railway station in Piazza Vittorio Veneto to Piazza Italia. For Piazza Italia take Bus Line TS.

By Minimetrò (€1.50 single trip): Adjacent to the back of the main railway station (where the tracks are located) and a 3-minute walk is Perugia’s light rail. Take this to the historic center (Pincetto Stop). Exit to your left and take the escalators or to your right for the elevator to the top, then walk to Via Oberdan and go right to Piazza Matteotti. Once in Piazza Matteotti take any of the side streets on the left to Corso Vannucci. Go right on Corso Vannucci towards the cathedral. Walk around to the right side of the cathedral, following the group of stores along the right side of the street. You will eventually arrive (past Dempsey’s Bar and the entrance to the Pozzo Etrusco) in Piazza Piccinino. The museum is on your right at #9 right across from the stone well. 

Note: The Minimetrò runs every 2 to 3 minutes Monday-Saturday 7am-9:20pm (Last ride at 9:05pm), Sundays and holidays 9:00am-9:00pm (Last ride at 8:45pm)

Tickets (UP Card) for both the buses and Minimetrò can be purchased at the bar/café inside the train station or at the kiosk located at the entrance to the mini metro itself.