Located on one of the sides of Piazza Navona, Palazzo Pamphili (also spelled Pamphilj) offers a solid background to the epic Fontana del Nettuno. The palace bears the name of the Pamphili family, once a powerful family of Rome, of which Giambattista Pamphili, later elected pope under the name of Innocent X, was born. In fact, its was precisely Pope Innocent X the one who commissioned the reconstruction of a preexistent palace, such as to provide his family with a residence suitable to his family’s influence and status.

The pope commissioned Girolamo Rainaldo to design the new residence, and the construction works started in 1646, with completion no later than 1650, under the supervision of Carlo Rainaldi, the son of the initial architect. Francesco Borromini also contributed to the design of certain sections of the palace, such as the Gallery. Speaking about the Pamphili Gallery, its most eye catching highlight refers to the fresco decorating its vault, a work by Pietro da Cortona, depicting scenes inspired from the legendary deeds of Aenas. Other notable frescos inside the palace refer to the works of Gaspard Dughet, Francesco Allegrini, Giacinto Brandi, Giacinto Gimignani, Pier Francesco Mola and Andrea Camassei, which adorn some of the rooms located on the first floor (piano nobile).

Since 1966, the palace has been the property of the Republic of Brazil, after 44 years when it was the headquarters of the Embassy of Brazil.

Name:
Palazzo Pamphili (Pamphili Palace / Palazzo Pamphilj)
Address:
Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy