The restoration of thealtana of Palazzo Altemps in Rome, the oldest known example of a belvedere tower of this type, conceived not only as a vantage point but also as a distinctive sign, capable of communicating to the outside world the splendor of the interiors, has been completed. Designed by Martino Longhi the Elder and later completed by his son Honorius, the altana is distinguished by the presence on its top of the heraldic coat of arms of Roberto Altemps, son of the cardinal who commissioned the work. The emblem depicts the rampant ibex of the Altemps leaning toward the rose of the Orsini, symbol of the marriage bond between Roberto Altemps and Cornelia Orsini.
Now, thanks to recent restoration, the vault of the altana once again enchants with its painting: a clear sky, tinged with a deep blue that fades between ultramarine blue and emerald green, enlivened by fluffy clouds and birds in flight. A fresco painted between the first half of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, as revealed by investigations conducted during the course of the intervention. It was then, as part of an extensive renovation of the Palace that also involved the reredos, that the original late 16th-century decoration was covered over: a simple pinkish background edged in green, partially visible on a section of the western wall.
The recent restoration also involved the plaster and stucco on the exterior façade and included the installation of an innovative lighting system, designed to make the vault visible even from below, enhancing the scenic effect of the painted sky.
The restoration was made possible thanks to the project “URBS. From the City to the Roman Countryside,” funded as part of the National Plan for Complementary Investments (PNC) related to the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).
It will be possible to access the reredos exclusively on the second and third weekends of each month, with guided tours by the staff of the National Roman Museum: on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m., as part of the “Visiting” series of guided tours.
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| Rome, restored the altana of Palazzo Altemps. Now its vault returns to enchantment |
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