Palace of Justice, Courthouse in Prati district, Rome, Italy
The Palace of Justice is a courthouse in the Prati neighborhood situated along the Tiber River in Rome. Its eclectic design blends multiple architectural styles, with the exterior defined by travertine limestone cladding and bronze embellishments throughout.
Construction began in 1888 under architect Guglielmo Calderini and reached completion in 1910. The project followed Rome's designation as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, marking the state's institutional expansion.
Romans call the building il Palazzaccio, a nickname born of the corruption inquiry of 1912. In the Great Hall, frescoes begun by Cesare Maccari in 1909 were left unfinished when he became paralysed; his pupil Paride Pascucci continued them until 1918.
The building serves as the seat of Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation and houses the Judicial Public Library. Access is limited due to ongoing court proceedings, so check current conditions before visiting.
Excavations for the foundations brought up Roman sarcophagi; in one lay the skeleton of a young woman, Crepereia Tryphaena, with an articulated ivory doll. The doll is now kept at the Centrale Montemartini museum.
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