Palazzo Corsini, Rome
The Corsini Palace in Rome is an outstanding construction designed in the Baroque style located in the heart of Botanical Gardens in Trastevere, on Tiber’s west bank, near Villa Farnesina. Aside from carrying architectural value the palace also boasts an absolutely breathtaking collection of National Gallery of Ancient Art which is situated on the second floor and mostly known as Corsini Gallery.
History of the palace
Originally there was Cardinal Riario’s villa right where we can see the palace today. Cardinal’s guests were highly respected people of that era which included Michelangelo, Bramante, and Erasmus. Christina, former Queen of Sweden who abdicated her throne and converted to Catholicism, used to live here for 40 years (1659–1689). First visits to the future Academy of Arcadia were organized under her leadership.
Later in 1736, the villa was purchased by Cardinal Neri Corsini, nephew of Lorenzo Corsini who took on Pope’s title. He also ordered to transform this 15-century mansion into a beautiful palace. Famous architect Ferdinando Fuga was put in charge of the project, and eventually, it became a three-story richly decorated building.
When French forces occupied Rome, Joseph Bonaparte, the elder brother of Napoleon, the most extravagant emperor of France, took up the residence in the palace. After that, this place served as a dwelling for Corsini for many years until it was sold out to the government in 1883. The price of the mansion included an impressive artwork collection that once belonged to the Corsini family. Its pieces were the first exhibits put on display in Corsini Gallery in 1892.
Corsini Gallery
Corsini Gallery takes up the whole second floor of the building. The major part of the collection from National Gallery of Ancient Art is exhibited here, more ancient pieces are kept in the Palazzo Barberini. The collection consists mainly of paintings collected by the first villa owner, Neri Corsini, and other family members. Other noble families donated canvases later as well. The most famous paintings here are:
- “Saint John the Baptist” by Caravaggio.
- “The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem” by Luca Giordano.
- “St Sebastian” by Peter Paul Rubens.
- “Madonna of the Straw” by Anthony van Dyck.
- “Virgin and Child” by Bartolome Murillo.
- “Triumph Of Ovid” by Nicolas Poussin.
Besides the artworks listed above, the gallery offers many other pieces created by eminent and talented artists, such as Fra Angelico, Jacopo Bassano, Carracci, Francesco Francia, Gentileschi, Guercino, Angelica Kauffman, Giovanni Lanfranco, Carlo Maratta, Mattia Preti, Guido Reni, etc.
There is also the Accademia dei Lincei, the oldest academy in the Italian Republic, situated within the palace.
How to get
The Corsini Palace is located on Tiber’s west bank, in-between Vatican City and Villa Doria Pamphili, on Via della Lungara, 10. The most convenient way to reach this place is by taking a bus that follows routes 23, 280 (get off at Farnesina stop.)
Opening hours: from 8:30 till 19:00. The ticket office closes at 18:30. The palace is open daily, except for Tuesdays, January 1, December 25. Telephone: (+39) 0668802323.
Admission: full-price ticket for both Corsini and Barberini Palaces costs 12 euros, cut-price one – 6 euros (also includes two of the palaces in its price).
