Palazzo Piccolomini, Renaissance palace in central Siena, Italy.
Palazzo Piccolomini is a Renaissance palace in Siena with a three-story facade of carefully dressed stone blocks. The building displays rounded windows with carved stone frames and the Piccolomini family emblem on its main side.
Construction began in 1469 following designs by Bernardo Rossellino for the Piccolomini family, who were relatives of Pope Pius II. Work under Pietro Paolo Porrina made it a major example of Sienese Renaissance building design.
The State Archive within the palace preserves important documents, including Boccaccio's will and the contract for Fonte Gaia by Jacopo della Quercia.
The building houses several collections and archives, including painted wooden tablets showing scenes from Siena's history. Visitors should check ahead about access, as some areas have restrictions or specific visiting times.
Original wrought iron brackets are still visible at the base of the building and show Renaissance metalworking skill. Visitors often overlook these metal pieces, though they represent important details of the original design.
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