Palazzo Spada was built between 1548 and 1550 for Cardinal Girolamo Capodiferro; the palazzo was acquired in the 17th century by Cardinal Bernardino Spada.
The ornate façade (1556-60) is the work of the painter and stuccoist Giulio Mazzoni (1525-1618). The eight statues depict ancient Roman figures: Trajan, Pompey the Great, Fabius Maximus, Numa Pompilius, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, Julius Caesar and Augustus.
The courtyard, aslo the work of Mazzoni, is even more richly decorated.