Nobile Collegio del Cambio, Perugia

Museum in Perugia

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Accurimbono

Just a few steps from Palazzo dei Priori and the National Gallery of Umbria, the Nobile Collegio del Cambio (Money Changers Guild) is one of those compact but unforgettable interiors that makes Perugia so rewarding to explore. Once the headquarters of the city's wealthiest and most powerful guild, its rooms are layered with carved wood, painted ceilings and frescoes by Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino. Today, you can tour the spaces where the guild's leaders weighed coins, arbitrated disputes and quietly prayed for wisdom in their chapel, all while surrounded by art designed to reflect both their status and their responsibilities.

Because it sits right beside the Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia, you can visit both “Collegio” museums with a single combined ticket, saving a little on the entrance fee and getting a deeper sense of Perugia's economic history in about an hour. The Collegio del Cambio's audience hall and chapel are particularly striking, with every surface seemingly worked by gifted woodcarvers and painters. For travellers interested in Renaissance art and the stories of those who ran the city behind the scenes, this is one of the best places to visit in Perugia and fits perfectly into a half day wandering Corso Vannucci and the surrounding streets.

History and Significance of the Nobile Collegio del Cambio
Things to See and Do in the Nobile Collegio del Cambio
How to Get to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio
Practical Tips on Visiting the Nobile Collegio del Cambio
Where to Stay close to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio
Is the Nobile Collegio del Cambio Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Nobile Collegio del Cambio
Nearby Attractions to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

History and Significance of the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

The Nobile Collegio del Cambio was the home of Perugia's money changers, one of the city's most influential guilds in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Located on Corso Vannucci, close to the civic centre at Palazzo dei Priori and the merchant-dominated Collegio della Mercanzia, it sat right at the heart of the city's political and economic life. Here, guild members met to regulate exchange rates, weigh coins and oversee financial transactions in a period when trust in currency and credit was essential to trade.

The building’s lavish decoration reflects the power and prestige these professionals enjoyed at their peak. Money changers were responsible not only for handling coinage but also for settling disputes and ensuring fairness in business dealings, so the guild hall had to project an image of order, learning and moral authority. Over the centuries, the Collegio del Cambio evolved into a symbol of Perugia’s commercial strength, its woodwork, frescoes and architecture embodying the ideals the guild wanted to present to the city.

Today, as a museum, the Nobile Collegio del Cambio allows visitors to step directly into that world. The carefully preserved rooms, original furnishings and unique collections - particularly the coin weights and scales - make it possible to see how financial power was exercised and represented in a pre-modern city. Together with the neighbouring Collegio della Mercanzia, it tells the story of the guilds that helped shape Perugia's fortunes, both literally and figuratively.

Things to See and Do in the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

A standard visit follows the sequence of rooms that once structured guild life. You begin in the entranceway and the former Hall of Legists, where lawyers once worked on contracts and legal questions. Even here, decorative details in wood and fresco underline the seriousness of the business conducted within these walls. As you look up, notice how the ceilings and wall panels are designed to impress, enveloping visitors in a world where art and authority go hand in hand.

The highlight for most visitors is the Audience Hall (Sala di Udienza), where the guild’s leaders met to discuss important matters and receive clients. This room showcases some of the finest craftsmanship in the building: intricate carved wood panelling and richly coloured frescoes, many painted by Perugino. His figures, with their calm expressions and harmonious compositions, provide a kind of idealised backdrop to the more hard-headed financial decisions being made below. Take your time here, studying how the painted scenes interact with the architecture and furniture; it is easy to see why the hall is a favourite stop on guided tours.

From the Audience Hall, you pass into the Chapel of St John the Baptist, a more intimate space where the money changers were said to pray daily for divine guidance. Here, the decoration shifts from civic display to spiritual reflection, but the quality of the frescoes and finishes remains just as high. Nearby, a small room between the hall and the chapel houses a remarkable collection of 550 coin weights, documenting the variety of coins circulating in Perugia from the 1400s to the mid-1800s. Alongside these are weights and scales used across Europe up to the 20th century, offering a tangible link to the everyday work of the guild. Before you leave, remember that you can combine this visit with the neighbouring Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia on a single ticket, making the two guild halls a very efficient and satisfying pair of places often visited on walking tours of Perugia.

How to Get to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

The Nobile Collegio del Cambio is located directly on Corso Vannucci in Perugia's historic centre, just steps from Palazzo dei Priori and the National Gallery of Umbria, so it is easy to slot into any central sightseeing route. Perugia is served by the San Francesco d'Assisi - Umbria International Airport, as well as larger airports such as Rome and Florence, from which you can continue by regional train, long-distance bus or hire car. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Perugia on Booking.com. Once in Perugia, local buses, taxis and the minimetrò provide convenient links up to the hilltop centre.

If you arrive by train at Perugia Fontivegge station, you can take the minimetrò or a city bus to the centro storico. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy. From there, it is a straightforward walk along signed routes towards Piazza IV Novembre and Corso Vannucci; the Collegio del Cambio sits very close to Palazzo dei Priori and is clearly indicated. The central location makes it easy to combine with visits to the National Gallery of Umbria, the cathedral and nearby squares.

For those travelling by car, it is best to park in one of the public car parks on the outskirts or below the historic centre, because much of the old town is a restricted-traffic zone. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Escalators, lifts and pedestrian routes will then lead you up to the main ridge of the city, from where you can stroll along Corso Vannucci and find the entrance to the Collegio del Cambio among Perugia's most elegant façades.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

Suggested tips: Pair your visit with the Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia using the combined ticket, and plan time before or after to sit in a nearby café and let what you have seen sink in.
Best time to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon offers a good balance of light and relatively fewer visitors, making it easier to appreciate the frescoes and woodwork.
Entrance fee: Adults: €6.00
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am – 13:00pm & 14.30 – 17.30
Sundays and holidays: 9.00 – 13.00
Official website: https://www.collegiodelcambio.it/
How long to spend: Allow around 30-45 minutes for the Collegio del Cambio itself, or about an hour if you are visiting both Collegio museums on a combined ticket.
Accessibility: The building is historic and some areas may involve stairs or uneven floors; visitors with reduced mobility should enquire in advance about accessible routes and any limitations.
Facilities: On-site facilities are limited; for cafés, restaurants, shops and toilets you can use those available along Corso Vannucci and in nearby squares such as Piazza IV Novembre.
Photography tip: Focus on details such as the carved wood panelling, Perugino’s frescoes in the Audience Hall and close-ups of the coin weights; always respect any restrictions on flash or photography in certain rooms.
Guided tours: Short guided visits or audio guides can add useful context on the guilds’ role in Perugia’s economy and the symbolism behind the decorative cycles.
Nearby food options: Step out onto Corso Vannucci or down towards Piazza IV Novembre to find plenty of cafés, wine bars and trattorias where you can relax after your visit.

Where to Stay close to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

Staying near Corso Vannucci and Piazza IV Novembre makes it easy to visit the Nobile Collegio del Cambio and many of Perugia's key sights on foot. For an elegant stay with sweeping views and quick access to the historic centre, Sina Brufani offers classic rooms in a landmark building at the top of the main ridge. If you prefer something a little more intimate hidden among medieval streets just a short stroll from the Collegio, Hotel Priori Secret Garden combines historic charm with modern comforts. A budget-friendly but characterful option nearby is Albergo Morlacchi, which places you within easy walking distance of Corso Vannucci, the guild halls and many of the city’s restaurants and bars.

Is the Nobile Collegio del Cambio Worth Visiting?

The Nobile Collegio del Cambio is definitely worth visiting, especially if you are curious about how wealth and power were expressed in medieval and Renaissance Perugia. Its compact size makes it an easy addition to any itinerary, yet the richness of its interiors - from Perugino's frescoes in the Audience Hall to the extraordinary collection of coin weights - means it leaves a strong impression. Combined with the neighbouring Collegio della Mercanzia, it gives you a vivid picture of the guilds that helped shape the city's fortunes, making it a rewarding stop for anyone interested in both art and economic history.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (183)

Nobile Collegio del Cambio on Corso Pietro Vannucci is a compact, tastefully restored site of richly painted frescoes—many attributed to Perugino and his circle—best appreciated in a brief visit of around 20–30 minutes; highlights include remarkable ceiling and wall paintings plus a small collection of historic coins and weight standards, multilingual interpretation panels, and the option to buy a combined ticket with the Merchants' Hall, though visitors note the discreet entrance and occasional inattentive or smoky-feeling ticket desk staff.

C V

6 months ago

"Only small, about 2 large rooms in all, but interesting. The whole place has been tastefully renovated. The ceiling paintings are a marvel. The wallmurals too. Interesting collection of old coins, weights & measures. Interpretation boards in all the major languages are a bonus. €6 admission. €7 for a combined ticket with the Merchants Hall. An unusual but historically relevant museum, given the importance of guilds and exchanges in the Middle Ages...."

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Paul Davis

5 months ago

"Amazing place with truly astonishing frescoes. Cheap entry - €6 but doesn’t take long to do justice (20 mins or so). Great place if you want a splashof culture (I have young kids) rather than a full museum..."

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Kent Wang

3 years ago

"Painted by Raphael and his mentor Perugino. You can get combined ticket with the Collegio della Mercanzia"

FAQs for Visiting Nobile Collegio del Cambio

Yes, you can buy a combined ticket that covers both guild museums and usually saves you around fifty cents compared with buying separate tickets.

Most visitors spend about half an hour inside the Collegio del Cambio, or around an hour if they include the Collegio della Mercanzia as well.

While there are no specific children’s activities, older children interested in history or art often enjoy the frescoes, woodwork and coin collections, especially with some explanation from adults.

Nearby Attractions to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio

Palazzo dei Priori: Perugia's historic town hall and home to the National Gallery of Umbria, located just a few steps away on Corso Vannucci.
National Gallery of Umbria: Major regional art museum on the upper floors of Palazzo dei Priori, with masterpieces from the 13th to the 19th centuries.
Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia: Neighbouring merchant guild hall with richly decorated interiors that complement the story of the Collegio del Cambio.
Piazza IV Novembre: The city's main square, with the Great Fountain and Cathedral of San Lorenzo, forming the civic heart of Perugia.
Etruscan Well (Pozzo Etrusco): Ancient subterranean well close by, offering insight into Perugia's pre-Roman engineering and long relationship with water.

The Nobile Collegio del Cambio appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Perugia!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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