The Piazza dell’Orologio in the Ponte district in Rome is located at the point where the Via dei Banchi Nuovi turns into the Via del Governo Vecchio. The third street joining the square is the Via Orsini. The most striking building is the Torre dell’Orologio. The facade on the south side is completely taken up by the Palazzo Bennicelli, seat of the Embassy of Belize to the Holy See. One of Rome’s oldest “Madonnelle” is attached on the corner of the square and the Via del Governo Vecchio.
Piazza dell’Orologio
Torre dell’Orologio
The Piazza dell’Orologio owes its name to the bell tower of the Convent of the Filippini. The slightly concave tower was designed by Francesco Borromini and constructed between 1647 and 1648. Pietro da Cortona was responsible for the “Madonna della Vallicella” mosaic below the clock face.
Madonnella
The Sacred Shrine of the “Madonna and Child” dates back to 1756. The painting was the work of Antonio Bicchierai, whilst the frame is attributed to the sculptor Tommaso Righi. The upper part features a broad halo with cherubs, whilst the lower part is carved with two large angels, draped in white cloth, holding up the painting with their hands. The Madonnella is protected by a large canopy.
Palazzo Bennicelli
In 1660, Virginio Spada instructed Borromini to design the building now know as Palazzo Bennicelli. The building was meant to become the headquarters of the Banco di Santo Spirito. When Spada died, the family changed plans and chose a new site for the bank’s headquarters. They later sold the palace to the counts of Bennicelli. Toward the end of the 19th century, the latter had Gaetano Koch carry out a renovation.
Sources
- Georgina Masson, The Companion guide to Rome.