Palazzo Corsini alla Lungara

Queen Christina of Sweden, a woman of great learning and a lover of art, once graced these very halls. She arrived in Rome in 1654, having abdicated her throne and embraced Catholicism. Palazzo Corsini alla Lungara, as it stands today, is a testament to the artistic spirit it has sheltered across centuries. Before the Corsinis, it was home to the Riario family, nephews of Pope Sixtus IV, who built it in the late 15th century. But Queen Christina, during her time here, infused it with a new life, a haven for intellectual pursuits. It was in these hallowed halls that the seeds of the Accademia dell’Arcadia were sown, a testament to her patronage of the arts. Years later, in 1736, the palace came under the ownership of Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini, a man of discerning taste and nephew to Pope Clement XII. He commissioned Ferdinando Fuga, the architect behind Palazzo del Quirinale and Palazzo della Consulta, for its grand transformation. Fuga, with his masterful touch, expanded the facade, adding a series of majestic, towering pilasters, their rhythm intensifying towards the central axis. The rear facade, gazing out at the sprawling gardens, is a masterpiece of movement and grandeur, a testament to Fuga’s architectural genius. But perhaps the most captivating element he introduced is the monumental staircase. Bathed in natural light streaming through large windows, it offers a panoramic spectacle of the gardens, cascading down the Janiculum hill. This staircase is not just a passage but an experience, a prelude to the artistic treasures that lie within. Today, Palazzo Corsini alla Lungara houses the Galleria Corsini, a treasure trove of 16th and 17th-century Italian and Flemish paintings. Works by masters like Caravaggio, Rubens, and Beato Angelico grace its walls. It’s a journey through the heart of art history. As you stand before this grand palace, remember the legacy of Queen Christina, the architectural genius of Fuga, and the spirit of the artists. Let their stories echo in your heart as you explore Palazzo Corsini alla Lungara.