National Museum of Mansi Palace, Lucca

The National Museum of Mansi Palace (Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi) is one of Lucca’s premier art museums, renowned for its impressive tapestry collection and extensive post-19th-century artworks. Housed in a magnificent Baroque palace in the city’s historic center, the museum offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent past of the noble Mansi family, while preserving the building’s original architectural and decorative splendor.

The palace originated in 1616 when Lucchese silk merchant Ascanio Mansi unified several medieval tower houses. His son, Raffaello Mansi, commissioned Raffaello Mazzanti to renovate it between 1686 and 1691, adding Baroque interiors and a grand staircase. In the 18th century, Luigi Mansi further enhanced its grandeur. By the early 19th century, the Mansi family had close ties to the Napoleonic court, with Raffaele Mansi and Camilla Parensi serving Elisa Bonaparte and Felice Baciocchi.

In 1965, the palace was fully restored and transformed into a National Museum. A decade later, in 1977, the National Art Gallery was inaugurated, showcasing a wealth of paintings, furnishings, frescoes, and textiles that highlight the artistic heritage of Lucca.

The palace’s interiors showcase Baroque and Neoclassical elegance. Highlights include the bridal chamber with its gilded caryatid-framed alcove, the 1688 Music Hall adorned with frescoes by Gian Gioseffo del Sole, and the Neoclassical Hall of Mirrors, which contrasts with Flemish tapestries and ornate curtains in adjacent rooms.

The museum’s first floor hosts Lucca’s Pinacoteca Nazionale, showcasing Medici and Grand Ducal masterpieces, while the second floor features 19th- and 20th-century regional artworks. The historic kitchens now house Maria Niemack’s weaving workshop, honoring Lucca’s textile heritage. The National Museum of Mansi Palace blends aristocratic history with a remarkable fine arts collection.