Palazzo Colonna Barberini, National archaeological palace in Palestrina, Italy
Palazzo Colonna Barberini is a palace in Palestrina that incorporates remains of a Roman portico into its walls and extends across multiple levels. The building combines architecture from different periods and shows how later structures were built on top of older ruins.
The building came into being by incorporating Roman ruins from the Fortuna Primigenia sanctuary into its structure, reflecting the long construction history of the site. In the 17th century, it passed from the Colonna family to the Barberini family, which changed how it was used and its purpose.
The palace houses the National Museum of Archaeology, where visitors can see mosaics, sculptures, and objects from Roman times found in the ancient city. The collections show how people lived here centuries ago and what mattered to them.
The public areas can be visited on guided tours that lead through the archaeological exhibits, while a private wing of the Barberini princely residence is not open to visitors. Guests should expect that not all parts of the palace may be open and it is best to check ahead.
The palace sits on one of the uppermost terraces of the ancient sanctuary and uses an antique theater form whose structure was carved into the bedrock. This unusual location makes it a rare example of Roman architecture that was later built into a residence thousands of years after its original use.
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