Palazzo Salviati

Whose sorrowful end still echoes within these walls? Before you stands Palazzo Salviati, a place steeped in history and marked by moments both triumphant and tragic. Palazzo Salviati was brought to life in the 16th century, a vision of the Florentine prelate Filippo Adimari. Designed by Giulio Romano, a pupil of the great Raphael, it soon became a coveted property. By 1552, it passed into the hands of the influential Salviati family, leaving their mark on its grand design. The Salviatis, with their connections to the papacy and the Knights of Malta, brought an air of power and prestige to Palazzo Salviati. But the story takes a somber turn. In 1571, Ascanio della Corgna, a celebrated war hero returning from the battle of Lepanto, died within these walls. Imagine the grief that must have filled these halls, the abrupt end to a life of victory. Over the centuries, Palazzo Salviati has seen many transformations – from a residence of cardinals to a military school, even becoming a temporary prison for Jewish citizens during World War II. Today, it houses the Center for Defense Higher Studies, a place of learning and strategy. As you stand here, facing Palazzo Salviati, remember the whispers of its past. Recall the triumphs and tragedies that unfolded within its walls, and appreciate its enduring presence in the heart of Rome.