{"id":9597,"date":"2022-01-28T17:22:19","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T17:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/palazzo-altemps-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:31:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T13:31:50","slug":"palazzo-altemps-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/palazzo-altemps-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Palazzo Altemps in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Built in the 15th<\/sup> century by a wealthy Italian family, Palazzo Altemps has been home to stunning collections of ancient sculptures from the National Roman Museum since 1997. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s go: head north of Piazza Navona to discover this splendid Renaissance palace and its treasures!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Good to know:<\/strong> Entry to Palazzo Altemps is discounted with the Roma Pass<\/a><\/strong>. This also includes skip-the-line access to many of the city’s monuments<\/strong> as well as unlimited public transport<\/strong>. A great way to avoid wasting time in long queues!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Brief History of Palazzo Altemps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Origins of Palazzo Altemps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the late 15th<\/sup> century (around 1480), Girolamo Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, began the construction of the palace. After the pope’s death, the palace was abandoned until, a few decades later, Cardinal Francesco Soderini purchased and renovated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The palace got its name from its next owner. In the second half of the 16t<\/sup>h<\/sup> century, Cardinal Mark Sittich von Hohenems, known as Marco Sittico Altemps in Italian, acquired the palace and had it expanded by architect Martino Longhi the Elder. Palazzo Altemps was then considered one of the most beautiful residences in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 17th<\/sup> century, Giovanni Angelo Altemps added a library, theater, and chapel. The chapel is notable for being the only private chapel housing the remains of a pope (Pope Anicetus, who reigned in the 2nd<\/sup> century). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 19th<\/sup> century, Palazzo Altemps became the seat of the Accademia dei Lincei, the oldest scientific academy in Europe (now located in the Villa Farnesina<\/a>), before housing the Spanish seminary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Altemps\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Palazzo Altemps Today<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By the 20th<\/sup> century, Palazzo Altemps had fallen into disrepair. In 1982, the Italian Ministry of Culture acquired it and began extensive renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transformed into a museum showcasing collections of ancient sculptures, Palazzo Altemps opened its doors in 1997. It is part of the National Roman Museum, which is spread across four sites: Palazzo Altemps, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, the Crypta Balbi, and the Baths of Diocletian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Palazzo
Palazzo Altemps – Ludovisi Sarcophagus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Palazzo Altemps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Architecture of Palazzo Altemps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like many museums and galleries in Rome (such as the Borghese Gallery<\/a>, Palazzo Doria Pamphilj<\/a>…), Palazzo Altemps is worth visiting for its stunning architecture as well as its collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before entering the palace, take a moment to admire the altana<\/em>, the corner tower: it’s one of the oldest \u2013 if not the oldest \u2013 in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside, the cortile<\/em>, or inner courtyard, is also worth a stop. The fresco-covered loggia is simply magnificent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the palace, the walls and ceilings are adorned with vast Renaissance and Baroque frescoes: a true marvel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Collections at Palazzo Altemps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the sculptures on display at Palazzo Altemps come from collections assembled by wealthy Roman families in the 16th<\/sup> and 17th<\/sup> centuries, such as the Altemps collection, the Mattei collection, the Del Drago collection, and the Boncompagni-Ludovisi collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the museum’s statues were restored in the 16th<\/sup> and 17th<\/sup> centuries, as was customary at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the most notable works at Palazzo Altemps, don\u2019t miss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n