The name 'Cannoniera' refers to the original purpose of the structure as a fortification site for the Vitelli family's artillery.
The gallery houses Raphael's 'Standard of the Holy Trinity', painted by the artist at age 17.
The palazzo's facade is one of the most complete examples of 'graffito' decoration in the region.
The art collection includes rare works by Rosso Fiorentino, a pioneer of Mannerism.
The building was constructed starting in 1521 to provide a residence for Alessandro Vitelli and his wife Angela de' Rossi.
The gallery preserves a significant wooden model of the 16th-century city.
The collection includes a diverse array of liturgical objects and gold-ground paintings from the medieval period.
The Municipal Art Gallery of Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera is housed in a 16th-century Renaissance palace designed by Alessandro Vitelli. The building features an elaborate facade decorated with graffiti work attributed to Cristofano Gherardi. Its collection is centered on Italian Renaissance and Mannerist art, with a particular focus on artists connected to Città di Castello. The gallery holds significant works by Raphael, including his early paintings executed during his time in the region. Visitors can view panels by Luca Signorelli, who had a strong influence on the local artistic tradition. The palace complex also features an Italian-style garden, which historically served as the artillery range for the Vitelli family. It remains one of the primary cultural landmarks of the Umbria region.
The main courtyard entrance, which perfectly frames the Renaissance facade and the garden path.
Allow time to walk through the adjacent botanical garden, which is often less crowded than the main galleries.
Visit the second floor first to ensure you see the most prominent Renaissance panels before the building reaches peak capacity.
Check the temporary exhibition calendar, as the gallery frequently hosts rotating contemporary art installations in the historic rooms.
Do not overlook the smaller decorative arts rooms, which contain significant local historical artifacts often skipped by visitors focused only on the large panels.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from using flash photography, as many light-sensitive tempera paintings are on display.
