Palazzo Valentini
Palazzo Valentini | |
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Alternative names | Palazzo Imperiali |
General information | |
Address | via IV Novembre, 119/a |
Town or city | Rome |
Country | Italy |
Coordinates | 41°53′48″N 12°29′02″E / 41.89667°N 12.48389°E |
Owner | Metropolitan City of Rome Capital |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Domenico Paganelli |
Palazzo Valentini is a
History
The palazzo was first built by
The trapezoidal plan of the palazzo was designed by Domenico Paganelli. Thanks to substantial funds ploughed into the project by the cardinal, the palazzo was quickly completed within 3 years after building started. In the 17th century the building was then subject to a series of major renovations and expansions, carried out on behalf of cardinals Carlo Bonelli and Michele Ferdinando Bonelli. The palazzo was partially demolished and rebuilt by Francesco Peparelli for its new owner, cardinal Renato Imperiali, who organised the important family library (the "Imperiali") of around 24,000 volumes.
At the start of the 18th century, the palazzo was leased to several prominent personalities, including marchese Francesco Maria
In 1827 the Prussian banker and consul general
Description
The present structure of the palazzo is characterised by its grand portal, pierced by three windows on each sides, with architraves and lintels and bounded by two travertine columns. Above it is a large balustraded balcony. The great cornice, under which are small windows divided by three mensoloni, is surrounded by a balustrade. The courtyard is a portico in two orders and with 5 arcades on the short sides and 9 along the long sides, divided by Doric pilasters and rich in ancient statues.
The Palazzo's art treasures include the statue of Ulysses by Ugo Attardi, as well as works depicting "Aeneas and Anchises" and "Europa", made by Sandro Chia to commemorate the 135th anniversary of the provincial administration of Rome, now located at the entrance.
After a major restoration the excavations under Palazzo Valentini have now opened to the public on a permanent basis. A small baths complex dating from the 2nd century AD was discovered seven metres below street level under the basement of the building. It is believed to be part of a nearby residential scheme found over 100 years ago prior to the 1907 construction of Palazzo delle Assicurazioni in Piazza Venezia.
Archaeological remains
Recent excavations in the palazzo's basement have found, around 7m below street level, a small baths complex, probably part of an adjacent residential complex already found in 1902 during surveys for the construction of Palazzo delle Assicurazioni di Venezia.
The monumental temple of the deified Trajan was traditionally thought to have been on the same site as this palazzo, but no trace of it has been found here.
References
- ^ "Monumenti di Roma: 5 tesori nascosti della Caput Mundi". Snap Italy (in Italian). 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2018-03-29. sito ufficiale delle Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini (in Italian)
External links
- Lucentini, M. (31 December 2012). The Rome Guide: Step by Step through History's Greatest City. ISBN 9781623710088.
Media related to Palazzo Valentini at Wikimedia Commons
Preceded by Palazzo Spada |
Landmarks of Rome Palazzo Valentini |
Succeeded by Palazzo Vidoni-Caffarelli |