The Palazzo della Cancelleria is a historic building in Rome. It is located between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Campo de’ Fiori and houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci.
Palazzo della Cancelleria Rome
Useful information
The address of the Palazzo della Cancelleria is Piazza della Cancelleria, 1 – Rome (tel. +39 0669887566). Bus: 46, 62, 64, 916, 916F, N5, N15, N20. Opening hours: Weekdays from 07.30 to 20.00; Sundays and holidays from 09.30 to 19.00. Admission: 9 Euro for the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition.
The Sala Riaria and the Salone dei Cento Giorni can be visited only on Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning. The entrance fee is 7 Euro. Those wishing to see Salviati’s paintings (see below) must make reservations at least one month in advance (tel. +39 0669893405 or e-mail economato@apsa.va. Visiting times: Monday and Thursday afternoons.
History and Description
The Palazzo della Cancelleria is a Renaissance palace in Rome built in 1485. Construction was commissioned by Cardinal Raffaele Riario, a nephew of the then Pope Sixtus IV.
One of the architects, according to Vassari, would have been Bramante.
The San Lorenzo in Damaso Church that already stood on the site was incorporated into the new palace.
In 1513 the construction was completed.
Both the coats of arms of the then Pope, Giuliano II, and of Sixtus IV (both members of the Della Rovere family) can be seen on the facade.
A short time later, Riario had to cede the building because it was to serve as Cancelleria Apostolica.
In the 18th century, Filippo Juvarra was commissioned to build a theater in the palazzo. This was later removed, however.
Today, the Palazzo della Cancelleria is the seat of a number of papal institutions and falls under the legislation of the Vatican.
What to see
The facade is entirely covered in travertine marble. What is unusual is that the main entrance is not placed in a central position.
The balcony located on the side of the Campo de’ Fiori was designed by Andrea Bregno.
The design of the courtyard is attributed to Bramante.
The Sala Riaria is also called Aula Magna. The highlight here is the clock painted by Baciccia.
The Salone dei Cento Giorni (“Hall of the 100 Days”) is graced by frescoes painted by Vasari and his students in 1546.
The Salone di Studio is characterized by the vault painted by Perin del Vaga.
The Appartamento Cardinalizio houses the Cappella del Pallio (with plasterwork and paintings by Salviati).
Excavations in the 1940s found, among other things, a mithraeum, the sepulcher of the consul Aulo Irzio and some reliefs. The latter have been transferred to the Musei Vaticani.