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Behind the monument to St Francis (1927), the Papal (or Episcopal) Palace of Rieti was built in 1283 on the site of a pre-existing building. On the ground floor, the deep and spectacular Gothic arches of the Bishop’s Palace vaults open out. In the early 18th century these were divided by partitions to house the artisan workshops that would fund the restoration of the palace, which had been damaged by the 1703 earthquake. This layout remained until the early 20th century.
Since 2018, the spacious entrance hall to the palace has housed a monumental nativity scene created by Francesco Artese and other artists: covering 50 square metres and featuring over 70 terracotta figures crafted with meticulous detail, it depicts episodes from the life of St Francis in the Holy Valley of Rieti. On the first floor is the Audience Hall, which since 2005 has housed the art gallery of the Diocesan Museum of Rieti.
Via Cintia, 87, 02100 Rieti RI, Italia
