Palazzo Barberini

Map

Palazzo Barberini

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Palazzo Barberini, one of the grandest palaces in Rome, was begun by Carlo Maderno in 1624 for Pope Urban VIII (r. 1623-44), who was born Maffeo Barberini.

​Work on the building was continued by both Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini, with the latter responsible for the design of the windows of the top storey and the oval staircase in the south wing. The heraldic bees of the Barberini family can be seen all over the palace. 

Pietro da Cortona painted the magnificent ceiling fresco in the salone grande. 

Palazzo Barberini houses part of the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica.  

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