Collegio Alberoni is one of the most significant historical buildings in Piacenza, it has mantained its original purpose as an educational centre for clergy as well as a cultural education centre to the present day. It was founded by Cardinal Giulio Alberoni (1664 – 1752) a Prime Minister in Madrid during the reign of Philip V, King of Spain. The Collegio hosts a monumental library, physicals and natural science laboratories as well as seismic and meteorological observatories and a specula for the observation and study of stars.
The pride of the Collegio, however, is the painting gallery. Its oldest and most delicate art works such as Flemish paintings, Jan Provoost diptic and masterpieces by Guido Reni and Luca Giordano are kept in the Cardinal's apartments inside the XVIII Century building, while the rest of this outstanding collection is mantained under controlled conditions in the adjacent building, the Galleria Alberoni. Eighteen superb tapestry pieces dating back to XVI - XVIIth Century make the collection unique.
The most significant painting in the gallery is Ecce Homo in oil on wood by Antonello da Messina (1430 – circa 1479) a pivotal moment in Renaissance art history.
