Frascati‘s Palazzo Vescovile (“Episcopal Palace”) is located in the middle of the city’s historic center. Highlights include the Sarcofago delle Stagioni and a beautifully decorated 18th century chapel. The building is sandwiched between the Piazza Paolo III and the equally picturesque Piazza San Rocco.
Palazzo Vescovile Frascati
Useful information
The address of the Palazzo Vescovile is Piazza Paolo III, 10 – 00044 Frascati (tel. +39 069420467). Opening hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 12:30. Entrance fee: Free of charge.
History and description
Construction of the Episcopal Palace was commissioned by Pope Pius II Piccolomini in the second half of the 15th century. In those days the city gradually expanded, with the Palazzo Vescovile as its central point.
The fortifications and the chapel located within the palace walls were built under Cardinal Guglielmo d’Estouteville.
The Palazzo Vescovile has a rectangular floor plan. The facade is sandwiched between two towers. There is another tower at the rear of the building.
What to see
The courtyard has a portico supported by octagonal pillars.
The Sarcofago delle Stagioni (“Sarcophagus of the Seasons”) served for many years as the tub of a fountain.
The decorations include multiple Roman statues as well as medieval coats of arms.
Some rooms on the first floor contain paintings by Taddeo Kuntz, who was also responsible for some frescoes in an 18th century chapel on the to floor.
The altar of this chapel is graced by a canvas by Sebastiano Conca, depicting the “Ship of St. Peter with the Theological Virtues.”
The adjoining room contains oval portraits of all the bishops of Frascati. This room is further decorated with fake, painted bas-reliefs depicting scenes of everyday life in ancient Rome.
There is a “Madonna” painted by Carlo Maratta.