Palazzo Farnese, Renaissance palace in Regola district, Rome, Italy.
Palazzo Farnese rises over three floors with symmetrical windows, a central portal, and a stone facade reaching 29 meters in height in the Regola neighborhood. The interior rooms are arranged around a rectangular courtyard surrounded by arcades.
Antonio da Sangallo the Younger began construction in 1515 for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. Michelangelo took over direction after 1546 and added the upper floor along with the prominent cornice.
The gallery on the top floor displays frescoes by Annibale Carracci, created between 1597 and 1608 and depicting mythological scenes. These ceiling paintings paved the way for baroque art and now draw art lovers from around the world.
The building serves as the French Embassy in Italy since 1936 and is accessible only through guided tours that must be booked in advance. Visits cover selected rooms and the courtyard, with limited opening times.
The granite basins in the courtyard originated from the Baths of Caracalla and were brought here during the 16th century. They originally served as bathing pools in the ancient thermal complex.
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