Palazzo Farnese — Attraction in Rome

Palazzo Farnese stands as one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance architecture in Rome, embodying the wealth, power, and cultural legacy of the Farnese family. Designed in the 16th century, its construction was initiated in 1517 under Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who later became Pope Paul III. The building reflects a collaboration of some of the most prominent architects of the era, including Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Michelangelo, and Giacomo della Porta. This majestic palace, located near Campo de’ Fiori, is renowned for its grand proportions and elegant design. The rusticated ground floor gives it an imposing presence, while the upper levels are characterized by smooth ashlar masonry, perfectly symmetrical windows, and a central cornice designed by Michelangelo himself. The enormous Farnese coat of arms with lilies crowns the façade, a clear display of the family’s ambition and influence during the height of the Renaissance. Inside, the palace boasts exquisite frescoes, such as the Gallery of Hercules painted by Annibale Carracci, which is celebrated for its mythological themes and masterful use of perspective. The building’s interiors reflect the grandeur and refinement associated with one of Italy’s most powerful noble families. The Farnese family, originally from Lazio, rose to prominence in the 15th and 16th centuries, thanks to strategic alliances, ecclesiastical power, and their patronage of the arts. Pope Paul III, the family’s most famous member, commissioned the palace as a symbol of their prestige. The family’s influence extended across Europe, particularly during the Counter-Reformation, and their legacy is still deeply intertwined with Italian cultural history.

Today, Palazzo Farnese serves as the French Embassy, a testament to its continued significance as a seat of diplomacy and culture. Its austere elegance and timeless beauty make it an essential landmark for visitors exploring the artistic and historical...

Book tours online, ahead of time. It is very easy to do. There are tours in a number of languages, including English.

It is the French Embassy and there was quite a bit of security. Outside, our bags were searched and we were scanned with a handheld metal detector. Then our passports checked against what we gave when booking. Then we were permitted inside the building and one-by-one allowed into the next room where our bags were x-rayed and we went through another detector. Needless to say photos weren't permitted. That procedure was successfully completed and no one was shot by the French gendarmes.

Our tour was about the history of the building, the architecture and to see the Carracci Gallery. The palace was built in 1513 by the Farnese family. Alessandro Farnese was Pope Paul III. Three nephews, all cardinals, completed construction of the building. Popes had a habit of promoting nephews to important roles in the church. The Italian word for 'nephew' is 'nipote' and that is where our English 'nepotism' comes from. Eventually the palazzo became the Embassy of France in Rome, capital of the new country of Italy. The Italian government owns the building. France has a 99 year lease for 1€ per annum, although France spent one million euros renovating it. The Hercules Hall is huge (as befits its name), being almost 20 metres high. There are two 17th century tapesties based on frescoes by Raphael in the Vatican. The highlight is definitely the Carracci Gallery, so-called as it was decorated by the Carracci brothers, Annibale and Agostino, between 1597 and 1608. The room is considered Annibale's masterpiece and the quality is said to compare with that of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. The walls were decorated by students of the Carracci's such as Domenichino.

The hour went very quickly. Perhaps the only drawback was that the guide spoke a little quietly...

Palazzo Farnese or Farnese Palace is one of the most important High Renaissance palaces in Rome. Owned by the Italian Republic, it was given to the French government in 1936 for a period of 99 years, and currently serves as the French embassy in Italy.

First designed in 1517 for the Farnese family, the building expanded in size and conception when Alessandro Farnese became Pope Paul III in 1534, to designs by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Its building history involved some of the most prominent Italian architects of the 16th century, including Michelangelo, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and Giacomo della Porta.

At the end of the 16th century, the important fresco cycle of The Loves of the Gods in the Farnese Gallery was carried out by the Bolognese painter Annibale Carracci, marking the beginning of two divergent trends in painting during the 17th century, the Roman High Baroque and Classicism. The famous Farnese sculpture collection, now in the National Archeological Museum of Naples, as well as other Farnese collections, now mostly in Capodimonte Museum in Naples, were accommodated...