DESCRIPTION

Palazzo Coli Bizzarrini is one of the most significant examples of Perugian architecture and a unique example of a 16th-century palace in Siena. The palace is situated on Piazza Gramsci, at the corner of Via del Cavalerizzo and Via dei Montanini, and is primarily composed of two distinct parts: "La Fabbrica Nuova," built according to Baldassarre Peruzzi's design (1520), and "La Fabbrica Vecchia," which includes an existing convent of nuns and a tower that were supposed to be incorporated into the completion of the facade according to the project for cladding the two structures.
Inside, eight magnificent apartments are available for guests. Two are on the first floor in the historic residence, named "Le Grottesche" and "Gli Archi," while the remaining ones are in the historical residences on the second, third, and fourth floors of the palace.
Historic Residences

Le Grottesche is an 80 sqm apartment consisting of a spacious living room named "Le Grottesche," a double bedroom with a canopy bed, and a bathroom;
Gli Archi spans 70 sqm and features a living room with a kitchen, a double bedroom, and a bedroom with a French bed and a bathroom.

Historical Residences

Cristallo is a 70 sqm apartment located on the second floor of the palace. It comprises a spacious living room, a double bedroom, kitchen, and a bathroom with high-quality fixtures;
Granato, measuring 76 sqm, is situated on the third floor, in the Noble Residence. It consists of a large living room, a double bedroom, a bedroom with two single beds, kitchen, and bathroom;
Rubino, covering 90 sqm, is located on the third floor, in the Noble Residence. It features a living room with a neo-Renaissance ceiling, a double bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen;
Diaspro, spanning 65 sqm, is located on the third floor, in the Noble Residence. It comprises a combined living room and kitchen area, a double bedroom with an 18th-century bed, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub;
Corniola, with 105 sqm, is situated on the fourth floor, in the attic. It consists of a spacious living room, a double bedroom, a sofa bed, kitchen, and bathroom;
Ambra, a 128 sqm apartment located on the fourth floor, in the attic. It comprises a large living room, a double bedroom, a bedroom with two single beds, kitchen, and bathroom.

Historical Notes
Palazzo Coli Bizzarrini, formerly Francesconi, is a Notified Historic Palace dating back to the early 16th century. The construction of the palace is dated between 1520-1527. The design is attributed to Baldassarre Peruzzi, as stated by Bono del Monte dei Buondelmonti: 'Baldassarre Peruzzi made the plan for the Francesconi Palace in Poggio Malavolti, which was not yet completed, and the Model!'
The unfinished state was due to Peruzzi accepting a commission from Agostino Chigi for the construction of Villa La Farnesina in Rome, decorated later by Raphael, on Via della Lungara, and then the commission as the second architect of the construction of St. Peter's Basilica alongside Michelangelo, who was already the chief architect under Pope Leo X.
These lucrative commissions diverted Baldassarre Peruzzi from completing the Francesconi Palace, assigning it to his apprentice, Architect Pietro Cataneo. Moreover, from 1527 to 1531, the Government of the Nine was excluded from public offices. This led to the interruption of the works due to halved revenues, reduced to a quarter of the Francesconi. With the re-admission of the Nine to the Government by the Spaniards, work resumed based on a different project, only partially completing the construction, foregoing the reconstruction of the already existing part of the southeast side of the palace (1531-1553).
Indeed, the heraldic element present among the cornice brackets, still visible today, belongs to both the Tolomei and Piccolomini coats of arms (dating back to the two marriages of Francesconi's daughter). This allows us to precisely date the cornice around 1539 when Baptista Francesconi married Girolamo Tolomei and in 1553, after being widowed, married Girolamo Piccolomini.
In 1618, Fabio Chigi in his Lodo attributed the completion of the Palace to Pietro Cataneo (Peruzzi's apprentice), who always professed in the drawing and mannerism of Palazzo Francesconi, his teacher, the Sienese architect Baldassarre Peruzzi, responsible for the project. Baldassarre Peruzzi's remains are preserved in a chapel in the Pantheon in Rome (to the left of the entrance).