Quirinal Palace, City palace on Quirinal Hill, Rome, Italy
The Quirinal Palace is a large city residence on the hill of the same name in Rome, covering more than 110,000 square meters (about 1.2 million square feet). The building consists of two parallel wings around an inner courtyard, with colonnades and classical facades designed by different Renaissance architects.
The building began in 1583 as a papal summer residence under Pope Gregory XIII and was later expanded by several pontiffs. After the end of the monarchy in 1946, the palace became the official residence of Italian presidents.
The building houses a carriage collection and a porcelain museum that visitors can see in dedicated rooms today. Contemporary artworks have been displayed in the halls alongside old tapestries for several years, giving the residence a living character.
Guided tours allow access to state rooms and the geometric gardens that cover about four hectares (ten acres). Visits take place at set times, so planning ahead is helpful.
The gardens contain a waterfall about 18 meters (59 feet) high, built in the 1990s and connected to a water organ. This installation revives an old musical tradition once common in Roman villas.
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