Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama is a palace in Rome that currently serves as the seat of the Italian Senate. It was built on the ruins of ancient Roman baths commissioned by Emperor Nero and is situated adjacent to Piazza Navona. During the Middle Ages, monks from the Farfa Abbey purchased the property, which was later acquired by France. In the late 15th century, the Medici family built a new structure here, completed in 1505. Two Medici cousins who were cardinals—Giovanni and Giuliano—later became Pope Leo X and Pope Clement VII, respectively. Catherine de' Medici, the niece of Pope Clement VII, also lived here before marrying Henry, the son of King Francis I of France, in 1533.

The palace is named after Margherita of Austria, the illegitimate daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. She married another illegitimate son, Alessandro de' Medici, and after his death, wed Ottavio Farnese. As a result, part of the Medici family's art collection from Florence passed to the Farnese family. The current façade was constructed in the mid-1650s and features elaborate cornices and grotesque rooftop decorations.

After the extinction of the Medici line, the palace was handed over to the House of Lorraine and later to Pope Benedict XIV, becoming the seat of the Papal government. In 1849, Pope Pius IX relocated the Ministry of Finance, the Public Debt Office, and the Papal Post Office to the palace. In 1871, after the newly formed Kingdom of Italy conquered Rome, Palazzo Madama became the seat of the Senate.

Palazzo Madama

Must-visit reason: One of Rome’s most impressive palatial buildings

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Lazio Region [Lazio Region]

City where the attraction is located: Rome [Rome]