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Roman Loggias Roman Loggias

(Loggias of Palazzo Capizucchi and Palazzo Mattei)

The skyline of Rome is characterized by domes, chiefly by the dome of S. Pietro, which was completed towards the end of the XVIth century. The desire to admire the new magnificent dome and more in general to have a view over Rome led the richest families to build a little loggia on the roof of their palaces to have their little private belvedere. The loggias were open and they were used in the evening in the summer season, when the western breeze (the ponentino) eased the heat.

Loggia of Palazzo Venezia
Loggia of Palazzo Venezia (behind it the bell tower of S. Marco and the astronomical observatory of Collegio Romano)

The first loggia was commissioned well before the completion of S. Pietro, by Pope Paulus II (1464-71) who built Palazzo Venezia when he was still a cardinal and he lived there also after becoming Pope. The gothic windows are a clear reference to Venice. The loggia is located on the top of a tower inside the courtyard of the palace and it is not visible from the street.

Loggia of Palazzo Capizucchi
Loggia of Palazzo Capizucchi between the domes of S. Pietro and S. Andrea della Valle

Some loggias have also a little terrace, in some cases a recent addition. Today the most exclusive parties take place on these terraces, especially when they enjoy an open view over the domes of Rome. Palazzo Capizucchi is located near S. Maria in Campitelli.

Loggias of Palazzo Mattei, Palazzo Ferrini and Palazzo Fani
Loggias of Palazzo Mattei, Palazzo Ferrini and Palazzo Fani

Most of the loggias were built at the beginning of the XVIIth century following the same pattern. Carlo Maderno designed the loggia of Palazzo Mattei. Palazzo Ferrini is in Piazza di Pietra and Palazzo Fani is in Piazza d'Aracoeli opposite the lost church of SS. Venanzio e Ansovino. The loggias were often decorated with the names or the coats of arms of the landlords.

Loggias of Palazzo d'Aste, Palazzo Ruspoli, Palazzo Ferraioli and Palazzo Chigi
Loggias of Palazzo d'Aste, Palazzo Ruspoli, Palazzo Ferraioli and Palazzo Chigi

The loggias of the palaces in Via del Corso had the added advantage of allowing a view over the races and the other celebrations which took place during the Roman Carnival. The loggia of Palazzo d'Aste shows the inscription Bonaparte, because the building was the residence of the mother of Napoleon after the fall of the French Empire. The loggia of Palazzo Ruspoli was topped by four little pinnacles which were very similar to those on the top of the loggia of Palazzo Altemps, which you can see in the background of this page. Palazzo Chigi had two loggias, but now it has only one loggia next to Palazzo di Montecitorio.

Loggias of Palazzo del Quirinale and of Villa Medici
Loggias of Palazzo del Quirinale and of Villa Medici

The loggias of the palaces built on the top of the hills have a particularly fine view over the monuments of Rome. The loggia of Palazzo del Quirinale is called il Torrino (the little tower) and it is closed. The current (2003) President of the Italian Republic, Mr Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, used to have a party in the Torrino with his closest assistants on New Year's Eve. Villa Medici is topped by two aerial loggias. Both Palazzo del Quirinale and Villa Medici have a particularly fine view over the dome of S. Pietro, especially when the sun goes down behind it.

Loggia of Palazzo Rospigliosi seen frm the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Loggia of Palazzo Rospigliosi seen from the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
(in the foreground the dome of S. Maria di Loreto and the tip of Colonna Traiana)

The views of Rome are usually views over Campo Marzio, the plain between the hills and the river. The loggia of Palazzo Rospigliosi on the top of the Quirinale hill adds to the view of Campo Marzio a fine view over the other hills of Rome.

XIXth century additions
XIXth century additions

In the XVIIth and XVIIIth century the projects for new buildings or for additions to them were endorsed by the Architetto della Camera Apostolica, a position which was held by a reputed architect, who often requested changes to maintain some consistency in the urban development of Rome. In the XIXth century, with the large development of Rome after 1870, the control was limited to the size of the buildings or of the additions. This led to the proliferation of new types of loggia. In a building in Via del Babbuino the architect added a loggia very similar to the vault of a railway station (there is even a clock). Palazzo Massimo di Rignano opposite the steps leading to Palazzi del Campidoglio has a little castle on its roof, a sign of the XIXth century fashion for the Middle Ages.

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