Palazzo Altoviti

Palazzo Altoviti was a Renaissance residence on Lungotevere degli Altoviti at the end of Ponte Sant'Angelo, featuring ornate interior decoration and commanding views across the Tiber River. The building connected directly to the riverbank through a portal that led to Villa Altoviti on the opposite bank.

The palace was built in 1514 under Bindo Altoviti's direction and served as a residence for the wealthy family for centuries. It was demolished in 1888 during the construction of new river embankments, when the Tiber's banks were reshaped.

The residence held artworks and a notable bust of Bindo Altoviti created by sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, reflecting the family's role as patrons of Renaissance art. These pieces demonstrated the taste and resources of one of Rome's prominent merchant families during that era.

The former site lies within walking distance of Ponte Sant'Angelo along the Tiber riverbank, where you can understand the river landscape and the bridge's proximity. Access is straightforward via Lungotevere degli Altoviti, the street running alongside the water.

The prominent archaeologist Ennio Quirino Visconti was born within the palazzo's walls in 1751. This connection to a leading scholar of the period adds another layer to the building's history beyond its role as a family seat.