Braschi Palace

Palazzo Braschi, located in the heart of Rome between Piazza Navona and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, is a magnificent example of neoclassical architecture. Its construction began in 1792, commissioned by Pope Pius VI as a gift for his nephew Luigi Braschi Onesti. The project was entrusted to the architect Cosimo Morelli, whose work gave the palace a solemnity and elegance typical of the late 18th century. The history of the palace begins with the acquisition of the land in 1790, where the old Palazzo Orsini stood. Construction was halted due to the French occupation in 1798, during which Pope Pius VI was forced into exile. Work resumed in 1802 and in 1804 the monumental main stairs were completed, possibly with the contribution of Giuseppe Valadier, who adorned the columns with red granite from a cloister of the Santo Spirito Hospital, originally part of a portico built by Caligula. The exterior of the palace is characterized by a harmonious contrast between bricks and travertine, with windows adorned with curved and triangular pediments. Decorations include metopes representing the stars and lilies of the Braschi coat of arms, as well as lion heads adorning the ground floor windows. Inside, the main staircase is adorned with ancient statues and stuccoes depicting the myth of Achilles, the work of the artist Luigi Acquisti. The palace became the residence of the Braschi family until 1871, when it was sold to the Italian government. Subsequently, the building housed the Ministry of the Interior during the fascist period and, after World War II, was occupied by about three hundred homeless families until 1949. This period caused serious damage to the frescoes and floors, which were later restored. Since 1952, Palazzo Braschi has been home to the Museum of Rome, which features a vast collection of artworks and objects documenting the city’s history from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The collections include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative arts, with a particular focus on the art, culture, and urban history of Rome. Among the most significant works are paintings depicting views of Rome, such as the “View of Piazza del Popolo” and the “Tiber at Castel Sant’Angelo.” The museum rooms are richly decorated, such as the Nemi Room, which combines the perspective illusionism of the 16th century with the classicist landscapes of the 17th century. This room offers views of Nemi, the Braschi’s domain, and the Roman countryside, with a scenographic effect that surprises and enchants visitors. Another notable room is the Oval Room, used as a lounge, with a ceiling frescoed in a grotesque style.