437 years after its completion, Palazzo Farnese in Rome is writing a new chapter in its long history: the restoration project on the facades and roofs, launched in 2021by the French Embassy in Italy and the École française de Rome, in collaboration with the Special Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Rome, has now been completed. This complex and multifaceted project has made it possible to restore the original quality of the materials and the richness of the architectural design of one of the most iconic buildings of the Roman Renaissance. The removal of the last scaffolding, particularly that on the Tiber side, has restored to the city a full view of a monument that has for centuries served as a meeting point between history, art, and research.
Palazzo Farnese, home to the French Embassy in Italy since 1874 and to the École française de Rome since 1875, has been the subject of a conservation program that builds on previous efforts, following the restoration of the façade on Piazza Farnese, carried out to mark 150 years of French presence in the palace on the occasion of the 2025 Jubilee, and the work conducted for the 2000 Jubilee. The project required a total investment of 8.5 million euros, allocated by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. This sum covers all expenses necessary for the restoration of the monumental complex and , according to the French Ambassador to Italy, Anne-Marie Descôtes, demonstrates a constant commitment to preserving a heritage that also serves as a symbol of the shared values between France and Italy. “This ongoing commitment to preserving it highlights the shared values between France and Italy,” the ambassador emphasized, thanking “the extraordinary work of these women and men—and there are many of them—who have devoted themselves to the history of the Palace down to the smallest detail.”
The completion of the work also marks the start of a new phase dedicated to the study and analysis of the data collected during the restoration. Brigitte Marin, director of the École française de Rome, highlighted the scientific value of the project, describing the restoration as an opportunity to rediscover and deepen our understanding of an iconic monument: “We are delighted to celebrate the conclusion of this long-running project and grateful for the opportunity it has afforded us: to rediscover and study this iconic monument anew, deepening our understanding of it.” With the completion of the project, the École française de Rome will continue its research on the building that has housed it for over 150 years, analyzing the extensive data collected to update our understanding of the construction and conservation of Palazzo Farnese.
The exceptional value of this project is also linked to the architectural history of the Palazzo, which bears the mark of four leading figures in Italian architecture: Antonio da Sangallo, Michelangelo, Vignola, and Giacomo Della Porta. As Daniela Porro, Special Superintendent of Rome, explained, this is “a quartet of giants of Italian architecture who, straddling the Renaissance and Baroque periods, created the splendid facades of Palazzo Farnese.”
It was precisely the presence of interventions and layers dating back to different eras and designers that made the restoration particularly delicate. “Its success is due to the fruitful collaboration between various Italian and French institutions and the invaluable contribution of a scientific committee of international experts,” explained Porro, highlighting the role of the Special Superintendency of Rome, which—first with architect Antonella Neri and later with Oliva Muratore—oversaw every phase of the work.
The project has made it possible to restore “a universal masterpiece of architecture” to the city, highlighting the materials, decorations, and architectural features that tell the story of more than four centuries of history. The decisions made during the project followed Italian principles for the restoration of historic monuments, treating the material itself as a primary source of knowledge to be preserved and protected. The approach thus combined conservation needs with environmental considerations, through solutions such as thermal insulation of the attic using cork, the reuse of existing Roman roof tiles, the sourcing of materials from the region, the construction of new wooden window frames with thermal comfort features, and the use of traditional natural materials for the restoration of the facades.
The project, which began in 2021 and spanned five years, was divided into four successive phases. The first phase involved the restoration of the facade on Via dei Farnesi, the roof, and the replacement of the window and door frames. The second phase focused on the facade facing Via del Mascherone, including work on the roof and windows. The third phase involved the main facade overlooking Piazza Farnese, including surface maintenance, roof restoration, and the refurbishment of the window frames.The final phase focused on the garden wall and the roof on the Tiber side, along with the maintenance and replacement of the wooden elements.
The project brought together a wide range of professionals from the administrative, financial, technical, artistic, and logistical fields. A true mosaic of expertise united by the common goal of passing on a historical heritage of extraordinary value to future generations. Specifically, the execution of the work involved four main technical contracts: site installations, scaffolding, and masonry work entrusted to the Ceccaranelli company; the carpentry work handled by the firm Lares; the roofing, also carried out by Ceccaranelli; and the joinery entrusted to the firm Picalarga.
The final interventions yielded significant results. The survey and conservative restoration of the perimeter wall have restored clarity and durability to a fundamental element of the complex, rich in archaeological evidence linked to the site’s history, its construction, and subsequent maintenance. Traces of ancient carriage gates, windows, and doors—now bricked up—were identified, along with modern reinforcements in the upper part of the wall and numerous consolidation measures carried out over time. The coat of arms of Grand Cardinal Alessandro Farnese—located opposite that of Pope Paul III in Piazza Farnese—was also restored, restoring its legibility on the facade. The replacement and renovation of the windows, along with targeted repairs to the masonry, will ensure better protection of the surfaces from the elements.
Throughout all phases of the project, the wall facings were cleaned and consolidated, and the structural elements and roofs—made of antique tiles—were inspected and repaired. Particular attention was paid to the woodwork, which was replaced and restored in line with the work carried out in the 2000s on the facades facing Piazza Farnese and Via Giulia. The project also restored the original design of a painted window located at the corner of the facade facing Piazza Farnese.
The restoration of the travertine and brick facades proceeded in parallel with the restoration of the “alla romana” tile roofs. Cleaning operations revealed materials of exceptional quality and in excellent condition. The masonry elements were preserved, while the ornamentation and color schemes of the facades were made more visible through the enhancement of the travertine, ochre bricks, and red bricks.
The restoration project was not merely a conservation effort but also an important opportunity for scientific research. Through surveys, core drilling, and material samples collected for analysis, data was gathered that will contribute to a better understanding of the palace’s construction and conservation history.
The project to restore the facades and roofs began as early as 2017, when the French Embassy and the École française de Rome launched the planning process through ongoing dialogue with local authorities. The client for the work was the Service des travaux et bâtiments français en Italie (STBI), directed by Matthieu Bourez, while project management was entrusted to the firm of Pierre-Antoine Gatier, designer, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments and General Inspector of Historic Monuments.
To ensure the accuracy of the restoration strategies, a scientific committee composed of French and Italian experts was established, which met several times from the design phases in 2018 until the completion of the work in June 2026. Scientific oversight of the project was provided by the Special Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape in Rome.
The Franco-Italian collaboration was evident at every stage of the project: from the commissioning group—comprising the Embassy, the École française de Rome, and STBI—to the Superintendency; from the project management to the site manager; and extending to the Italian companies specializing in restoration and the experts on the scientific and technical committees.
The stone and brick facades of Palazzo Farnese tell a story that began in the 16th century. In 1513, Antonio da Sangallo began work on the main facade, at a time when the palace was already occupied by its owner, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. After the first architect’s death in 1546, Michelangelo took over, continuing the work by creating the famous cornice, modifying the large window on the main facade, and completing the second floor of the inner courtyard.
Starting in 1550, Vignola participated in the construction of the façade on Via del Mascherone. In 1573, Giacomo Della Porta undertook the construction of the rear wing, completing the façade facing the Tiber in 1589.
The construction of the facades thus continued throughout the 16th century, leaving a unique architectural legacy. Alongside the architects’ names are also the symbols of the figures who shaped the palace’s history: the garlands, palm branches, and oak tree of Pope Alexander VII Chigi; the ears of wheat of the Vasa dynasty, to which Christina of Sweden—a guest of the Palace—belonged; and, of course, the Farnese lily.
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| Rome: Restoration of Palazzo Farnese Complete—Facades and Roofs Shine Once Again |
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