Archbishop's Palace, Archbishop's residence in Siena, Italy.
The Archbishop's Palace is a three-story building next to Siena Cathedral with white and black marble stonework on its lower facade. It serves as the administrative headquarters and residence of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino.
The building was redesigned in the 1660s when Pope Alexander VII ordered demolition of the old bishop's residence and expanded the current structure. These changes made it a significant administrative center for the Church in the region.
The interior displays portraits of bishops and popes who shaped the religious life of the region over centuries. These paintings show how central the Church was to Siena's identity and power.
The building sits directly next to Siena Cathedral as part of the city's religious center. Visitors should know that it functions as an administrative residence and not all areas are open to the public.
The palace windows display an unusual design where the openings on one side do not align with those on the opposite facade. This architectural feature is a subtle but distinctive detail of Renaissance construction.
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