Vasi's 17th century drawing |
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The entrance in Piazza del Gesu' |
The Palazzo Patrizio (Altieri)
was built in the 16th century, and is one of the most famous and prestigious of Rome. It
is ranked among the national and historical monuments by the Ministry of Cultural
Resources. The area on which it is built is higher than the rest of the centre, as it is
close to Capitol Hill.
The palace was built by Antonio De Rossi, under the auspices of Pope Clemens X.
Clemens X coat of arms |
The coat of
arms and the heraldic symbols of the Pope are still visible in the facade, and the stars -
symbol of the Altieri family - are present everywhere. The inner court is most mannerly. There are columns, sumptuous
windows, terraces, and statues in the parapet. |
Palace: the inner courtyard |
Just in front of the palace there is the
very famous Jesus Church (Chiesa del Gesu'), the main of the Jesuite
order (it is presented in the lower part of the page). Moreover, adjacent and around the
palace there are other very famous palaces: Palazzo Cenci-Bolognetti (in
front), Palazzo Grazioli (to its side, with the office of the Prime
Minister Silvio Berlusconi), Palazzo Venezia (former embassy of the
Republic of Venice, then of the Austrian Empire, then seat of Mussolini's govern, finally
of the Ministry of Cultural Resources), and finally Palazzo Doria Pamphili.
The corridors are very mannerly,
elegant and clean. They are endowed with plants, and from their windows one can watch the
internal courts.
| The palace has two
concierges with portiers dressed with uniform, and also a second court, more
spacious, including a private parking space. Only a few aristocrats or
wealthy families live in the building. There are also a few discrete offices of the
managers of the Italian Banking Society. There are elevators in each
section. The second courtyard as
mentioned is larger, and it has its own independent entrance (from Via degli Astalli). It
includes a large private parking space, reserved exclusely to those
living in the palace. You will have the right to park the car, a rarity in Rome's centre. |
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The Palazzo Altieri faces the square Piazza del Gesu', where as mentioned there is the
splendid Jesus Church (Chiesa del Gesu'), built between 1568 and 1578.
It is the main church of the Jesuit order, which became the model of Counter-Reformation
churches in Europe. The facade is by Giacomo della Porta. The interior is by Vignola, and
it is exceptionally rich, with sumptuous details in coloured marble and lapis lazuli.
Perhaps the major masterpiece is the fresco in the vault of the nave, the "Triumph of
the name of Jesus". The author is Giovanni Battista Gaulli, also called Baciccia,
contemporary of Bernini (17th century), and having his exuberant style. Also the Chapel of
St. Ignatius of Loyola by Andrea Pozzo (1696-1700) is renowned for its opulence.
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Chiesa del Gesu' |
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The Palazzo 
