Page 118 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome
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116 ROME AREA B Y AREA
Do not miss the fine busts in
the Fonseca Chapel, designed
by Bernini, or the Crucifixion
by Guido Reni above the main
altar. There is also a 19th-
century monument honoring
French painter Nicolas Poussin,
who died in Rome in 1655 and
was buried in the church.
a Palazzo di
Montecitorio
Bernini’s curving southern facade of Palazzo di Montecitorio Piazza di Monte Citorio. Map 4 F3 & 12
E2. Tel 06-676 01. @ 116 and all
i Santa Maria in state in 1902 and transferred routes along Via del Corso or stopping
at Piazza S. Silvestro. Open usually 1st
Campo Marzio to the Galleria Borghese Sun each month (except Jul & Aug).
(see pp262–3)
Piazza di Campo Marzio 45. Map 4 F3 Times vary (see website); pick up
tickets in advance from info point on
& 12 D2. . @ 116 and many routes on Via Uffici del Vicario. ∑ camera.it
Via del Corso and Corso Rinascimento.
Closed to the public. The palazzo’s first architect,
Bernini, got the job after he
The church’s interior cannot be presented a silver model of his
accessed, but it is worth a visit design to the wife of his patron,
for the courtyard by Baroque Prince Ludovisi. The building
architect Giovanni Antonio was completed in 1694 by Carlo
de Rossi, whose architectural Fontana and became the Papal
illusion makes it look wider Tribunal of Justice. In 1871 it
than it actually is. Around the was chosen to be Italy’s new
courtyard, there are fascinating Chamber of Deputies and by
remnants of medieval houses. 1927 it had doubled in size with
The church itself was rebuilt in Pope Paul V, who commissioned Palazzo a second grand facade. The 630
1685 by De Rossi, using a square Borghese for his family members of parliament are
Greek-cross plan with a cupola. elected by a majority system with
proportional representation.
p San Lorenzo
o Palazzo Borghese in Lucina
Largo della Fontanella di Borghese. Via in Lucina 16A. Map 4 F3 & 12 E1.
Map 4 F3 & 12 D1. @ 81, 117, 492, Tel 06-687 1494. @ 81, 117, 492, 628.
628. Closed to the public. Open 8am–8pm daily. 5
The palazzo was acquired
in about 1605 by Cardinal The church is one of Rome’s
Camillo Borghese, just before oldest Christian places of
he became Pope Paul V. worship, and was probably
Flaminio Ponzio was hired to built on a well sacred to Juno,
enlarge the building and give protector of women. It was
it the grandeur appropriate rebuilt during the 12th
to the residence of the pope’s century, and today’s external
family. He added a wing appearance is quite typical
overlooking Piazza Borghese of the period, featuring a
and the delightful porticoed portico with reused Roman
courtyard inside. Subsequent columns crowned by
enlargements included the medieval capitals, a plain
building and decoration of triangular pediment, and
a great nymphaeum known a Romanesque bell tower
as the Bath of Venus. For with colored marble inlay.
more than two centuries The interior was totally
this palazzo housed the rebuilt in 1856–8. The old
Borghese family’s renowned basilical plan was destroyed
collection of paintings, which and the two side naves were
was bought by the Italian replaced by Baroque chapels. The church of San Lorenzo in Lucina
US_116-117_EW_Rome_US.indd 116 15/03/17 4:20 pm
