Discover the Elegance of Baroque Pontremoli with a Visit to Palazzo Pavesi

In the heart of Pontremoli stands Palazzo Pavesi, a gem of Tuscan Baroque architecture featuring three façades, two main entrances, and two elegant courtyards. For centuries, the palace has housed three noble apartments and over one hundred rooms, all decorated with frescoes that tell the story of the Pavesi family, a key figure in Pontremoli’s cultural heritage.

The palace is still owned today by the heirs of the original patrons, the Ruschi Noceti family, who safeguard its historical and winemaking legacy. Discover the family and their estate Fattoria Ruschi Noceti.

Guided Tours of Palazzo Pavesi in Baroque Pontremoli

Palazzo Pavesi is open for visits on the first Sunday of every month.

Guided tours led by Sigeric Tourist Guides will allow you to explore the richly decorated interiors and the deep connection between art and the local territory.

The palace is also open for guided tours during the “Mercato della Terra” event. During this monthly market in Pontremoli, the tour is paired with a wine tasting of Fattoria Ruschi Noceti wines. This is a unique experience to admire the charm of Baroque architecture while savoring the tradition of Pontremoli.

Discover one of Pontremoli’s Architectural Marvels in the Heart of Tuscany: The Majestic Palazzo Pavesi Ruschi

Step into the elegance of 18th-century Baroque at Palazzo Pavesi Ruschi, a refined noble residence that stands as one of the finest examples of Pontremoli’s aristocratic heritage.

The story of this grand palace begins in 1688, when Geronimo di Lorenzo Pavesi purchased the former residence of the Belmesseri Counts, overlooking Pontremoli’s “Piazza di Sotto.” From that moment on, the Pavesi family launched an ambitious project to expand and enhance the property. Over the following years, the residence was transformed into a true architectural jewel of Tuscany. Specifically between 1734 and 1743, brothers Giuseppe, Francesco, and Paolo Pavesi led a major renovation that gave the palace its current theatrical design, meanwhile enlisting renowned Baroque masters such as Francesco and Giovan Battista Natali.

As a result, Palazzo Pavesi became a vibrant cultural symbol of noble Pontremoli. Today, it stands not only as a historic building but also as a testament to the deep connection between art, family, and territory.

Visit Palazzo Pavesi with Sigeric’s Expert Guides

Explore this Baroque gem and admire exquisite frescoes and trompe-l’œil paintings, hallmarks of Tuscan Baroque. Inside, the grand halls are decorated by Giovan Battista Natali and his nephew Antonio Contestabili, and still preserve much of the original furniture. The highlight of the palace is the famous Gallery—its theatrical heart—painted as an elegant colonnaded courtyard opening onto idealized landscapes, in perfect Baroque illusionistic style.

Frescoes and furnishings tell the story of the Pavesi family and their desire to express their social prestige in the refined setting of noble Pontremoli. With its majestic architecture, detailed artwork, and an atmosphere both intimate and solemn, Palazzo Pavesi is an unmissable destination for those seeking to experience the authentic spirit of Baroque Tuscany and the timeless charm of aristocratic Pontremoli.

Palazzo Dosi Magnavacca is open and can be visited every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in July and August 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last admission at 6:00 p.m.

Visitors are free to explore the main hall and adjacent rooms on their own, with the help of a printed guide that provides details and interesting facts about the rooms and frescoes.

The entrance fee is €5.00.

The palace can be visited all year round upon request and with specific appointments for private groups.

To visit the palace with a group or organise a private guided tour, contact Sigeric Tourist Guides, experts in tourism in Lunigiana and Baroque Pontremoli.

Discover with us the other beauties of Baroque Pontremoli: Villa Dosi Delfini, open regularly throughout the year, the Teatro della Rosa as part of the Saturday morning Baroque Pontremoli tour, and Palazzo Pavesi with guided tours departing every first Sunday of the month, on the occasion of the “Mercato della Terra – Slow Food” event.