Palazzo Braschi

Palazzo Braschi

Palazzo Braschi is a large Neoclassical building in Rome, situated between Piazza Navona, Piazza della Cancelleria, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, and Piazza Pasquino. It currently houses the Museum of Rome (Museo di Roma).

The palace was built by Duke Luigi Braschi Onesti, nephew of Pope Pius VI, and designed by architect Cosimo Morelli. In 1790, Braschi received funding from Pius VI to purchase the land. Construction was halted in 1798 during the French invasion, when the French confiscated newly acquired artifacts. Work resumed only in 1802. In 1809, when Napoleon declared Rome an imperial city, Mayor Duke Louis moved into the palace.

In 1871, Braschi’s heirs sold the palace to the Italian state. During the Fascist period, it served as the political headquarters of Benito Mussolini. After the war, it housed 300 refugee families, and many of the interior frescoes were severely damaged by fires for heating. In 1949, the palace was handed over to the government and underwent comprehensive restoration before reopening as a museum in 1952.

The main entrance of Palazzo Braschi is located on Via San Pantaleo. The oval hall inside the main entrance overlooks the street and leads to a grand staircase supported by eighteen red granite columns, originally from the arcade built by Emperor Caligula along the banks of the Tiber River. Architect Giuseppe Valadier designed the chapel on the “noble floor” (second floor).

Palazzo Braschi

Why go: One of Rome’s premier museums

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Italy[Italy]

Province/State: Lazio Region [Lazio Region]

City: Rome [Rome]