Barberini Palace

The Palazzo Barberini, located on Via delle Quattro Fontane in Rome, is one of the most representative buildings of Italian Baroque architecture. Its construction, started in 1627, was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII of the Barberini family, and involved three of the greatest architects of the time: Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Francesco Borromini. This trio of architecture masters worked together to create a palace that combined the grandeur of an urban residence with the beauty of a suburban villa. Carlo Maderno, initially in charge of the design, died in 1629, leaving Bernini in charge. Borromini, a student and assistant of Maderno, continued to work on the project, contributing some of the most innovative architectural solutions of the palace. Among these stands out Borromini’s famous helical staircase, located in the right wing of the building. This element, with its sinuous shape and structural lightness, represents one of the highlights of Baroque architecture.The main facade of the palace, imposing and harmonious, overlooks a vast inner courtyard, creating a sense of grandeur and welcome. The noble floor, with its large arched windows, offers a panoramic view of the city, while the ground floor is characterized by a series of arches that give lightness and dynamism to the entire structure.The interior of the Palazzo Barberini is equally spectacular. The main hall, known as the Pietro da Cortona Hall, is decorated with an imposing fresco by Pietro da Cortona entitled “The Triumph of Divine Providence and the Power of the Barberini”. This fresco, one of the masterpieces of Roman Baroque, covers the entire ceiling of the room and celebrates the glory of the Barberini family with a series of allegorical and symbolic figures.In addition to the Pietro da Cortona Hall, the palace houses other rooms decorated with frescoes and stuccoes that reflect the wealth and sophistication of the Barberini family. Among these, the Marble Hall and the Hall of Mirrors are particularly notable for their elegance and the precious materials used.The Palazzo Barberini is now home to the National Gallery of Ancient Art, one of the most important collections of ancient painting in Italy. The gallery houses masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Hans Holbein, and many others. Among the most famous works are Raphael’s “La Fornarina”, Caravaggio’s “Judith Beheading Holofernes”, and Hans Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII.The collection of the National Gallery of Ancient Art has been formed over the centuries through donations, acquisitions, and bequests, offering a complete overview of Italian and European painting from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period. In addition to paintings, the gallery also preserves a series of sculptures, tapestries, and art objects that further enrich the palace’s heritage.An interesting anecdote concerns the visit of Queen Christina of Sweden to Rome in 1655. The queen, famous for her conversion to Catholicism and her eccentricity, was hosted at the Palazzo Barberini with a series of celebrations and performances. Her presence in Rome became a socially significant event, attracting the attention of the aristocracy and the Roman people.