Corsini Palace

Palazzo Corsini alla Lungara, located in the Trastevere district of Rome, is one of the most majestic and historically rich buildings in the city. Its construction began at the end of the 15th century at the behest of the Riario family, nephews of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere. However, the palace as we know it today is the result of transformations desired by Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini in the 18th century, entrusted to the architect Ferdinando Fuga. This intervention gave the building the appearance of a true royal palace, doubling its size and enriching its facade with giant pilasters and a monumental staircase. The palace overlooks Via della Lungara, directly in front of the splendid Villa Farnesina, and extends with a vast garden on the Gianicolo hill. The main facade, austere and imposing, hides the elegance and sophistication of the interiors, characterized by baroque decorations, frescoes, and a collection of art of inestimable value. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the palace was the residence of Queen Christina of Sweden, who moved there after her abdication and conversion to Catholicism. During her stay, the palace became a lively cultural and intellectual center, hosting meetings of an alchemical circle composed of illustrious figures such as Massimiliano Savelli Palombara, Giuseppe Francesco Borri, Giovanni Cassini, Francesco Maria Santinelli, and Athanasius Kircher. This period marked a moment of great cultural ferment for Palazzo Corsini, which still retains the spirit of those times. In 1736, Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini purchased the building and the garden, commissioning Ferdinando Fuga for a complete renovation. Fuga transformed the small suburban villa of the Riario family into a sumptuous aristocratic residence, with a facade characterized by ten giant pilasters that give rhythm and solemnity to the building. The rear facade, more dynamic, features three projecting bodies, with the central one occupied by the majestic staircase, which also serves as a panoramic belvedere overlooking the gardens. During the Napoleonic occupation of Rome, Palazzo Corsini hosted Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Emperor Napoleon. This episode testifies to the strategic and political importance of the building over the centuries. Subsequently, in 1849, the casino dei Quattro Venti, located in the upper part of the villa, was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles in defense of the Roman Republic against the French, during which Goffredo Mameli was mortally wounded. In 1856, a large part of the gardens on the Gianicolo were joined with the neighboring Villa Doria Pamphilj. In 1883, Prince Tommaso Corsini sold the palace to the Italian government, also donating the library and gallery housed there. Since then, Palazzo Corsini has been the headquarters of the offices and library of the Royal Academy of the Lynxes and the National Gallery of Ancient Art. The Corsini Gallery houses an extraordinary collection of artworks, including masterpieces by Beato Angelico, Giambattista Pittoni, Caravaggio, Rubens, Mattia Preti, Jusepe de Ribera, and Jacopo Bassano. Among the most famous works is Caravaggio’s “Saint John the Baptist,” a painting that captures the drama and expressive power typical of the master of chiaroscuro. The collection is the result of centuries of patronage and an acquisition policy that has allowed the gathering of one of the most important collections of ancient art in Rome. The interior of the palace is decorated with valuable frescoes, such as the one in the library, “History Orders Time to Reveal the Truth” by Gregorio Guglielmi, commissioned by Neri Corsini. These frescoes, along with the period furnishings, contribute to creating an atmosphere of extraordinary elegance and sophistication. The garden of Palazzo Corsini, which houses the Botanical Garden of Rome, is another element of great interest. The garden, with its fountains, statues, and tree-lined avenues, is a perfect example of an Italian garden and offers a spectacular view of the city. It is a place of peace and beauty, where one can stroll and admire nature in a unique historical setting.