Palazzo Della Rovere

Palazzo Della Rovere is a palace in Rome, Italy, facing Via della Conciliazione. It is also known as Palazzo dei Penitenzieri.

The construction of the palace was started in 1480 by cardinal Domenico della Rovere, a relative of Pope Sixtus IV, perhaps under the design by Baccio Pontelli. The palazzo was built in the late 15th century, between 1480 and 1490; the Florentine architect, Baccio Pontelli, modelled it closely on the architectural style of Palazzo Venezia, the most important building in 15th century Rome. Five halls of the piano nobile, are now the official reception rooms of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and one of them is home to an extremely important ceiling by the artist Pinturicchio

The current name was added during the reign of pope Alexander VII, who moved here the Papal confessors known as penitenzieri. It now houses a hotel and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Description

The building has a massive façade inspired by that of Palazzo Venezia, with a tower on the left. The name of Domenico della Rovere is written on the windows of the first floor, while the coat of arms on the façade is that of Pope Clement XIV.

The interior has a court on two levels: a lower one with a portico featuring octagonal pillars and a pit, and a upper one with gardens. The palace has a rich internal decoration, often depicting fake architectures. The most notable is that of the Semi-Gods Ceiling, a gallery of mythological and allegorical figures painted by Pinturicchio in 1501.

Sources