Palazzo Giuli-Rosselmini-Gualandi _ Palazzo Blu (A. Matteucci)The palace is one of the most characteristic of the Pisan Lungarno. Founded by Doge Giovanni dell'Agnello in 1356 over a pre-existing nucleus of tower houses dating from the 12th and 13th centuries (of which numerous traces can be seen inside the construction itself), the building is today a centre of art and culture renowned all over the world. In 1495, it welcomed the King of France Charles VIII, during his descent into Italy, which led to the liberation of Pisa from Florence. The numerous families who lived in these halls over time added new rooms and decorations. It was the home of the Del Testa family and of doctor Cesare Studiati, director of the Greek-Russian Imperial College in 1773, which was based here. It was at that time that it was decided to paint the façade with a shade of blue sky, typical of the palaces of St. Petersburg. The palace then passed into the hands of the Bracci Cambini family, whose beautiful coat of arms painted by Antonio Niccolini is still visible, and of the Milanese count Luigi Archinto. The last owners were Counts Giuli Rosselmini Gualandi who restored almost all the interiors. In 2001, after years of neglect, it was bought by Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Pisa, which established the Fondazione Blu and turned it into Blu, a palace of art and culture. For years the museum has hosted international exhibitions, with the likes of Picasso, Dalì, Modigliani and Toulouse Lautrec.
