Start of the third phase of the restoration of the facades and roofs of Palazzo Farnese in Rome

TheEmbassy of France in Italy, theÉcole française de Rome and the Special Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscapes of Rome have launched a new restoration campaign in 2021 for the facades and roofs of Palazzo Farnese, home of the Embassy of France in Italy and the École française de Rome. The work will cost a total of 5.6 million euros, co-financed by the French ministries of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Higher Education and Research. Since the 17th century, there have been several restoration campaigns at Palazzo Farnese. The one beginning in 2021 aims to continue previous interventions, particularly the one carried out on the occasion of the Jubilee of the year 2000. The work involves cleaning the plaster, consolidating the stones, and overhauling the ancient tile roofing. Important work is also being done on the replaced fixtures to restore the original designs of the 16th-century fixtures. Restoration of the travertine and brick face is being carried out at the same time as the revival of the “Roman-style” tile roofing.

The restoration of the facades and roof of Palazzo Farnese has been divided into four phases and is scheduled to take place over four years: the first phase began in March 2021 and was devoted to the restoration of the facade on Via dei Farnesi, the fixtures as well as the roofing on the slopes of that facade; the second phase was devoted to the restoration of the facades, fixtures, as well as the roofing on the slopes of Via del Mascherone; The third phase, which began at the end of February 2024, will be devoted to the maintenance of the main facade facing Piazza Farnese, the overhaul of the fixtures, as well as the restoration of the roofs; Finally, the fourth phase will focus on the restoration of the roofs of Via Giulia and the garden wall, as well as the roofs on the slopes of Via Giulia.

The project of the restoration of the facades and roofs of Palazzo Farnese was born in 2017. The client of the works, the French Embassy and the École française de Rome, promoted the project through constant dialogue with local administrations. The commissioning of the work is the service des travaux et bâtiments français en Italie (STBI) and is provided by the agency of Pierre-Antoine Gatier, Chief Architect of Historical Monuments and Inspector General of Historical Monuments. The restoration is scientifically monitored by the Soprintendenza Speciale Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio of Rome.
These restoration works are an opportunity for the French Embassy in Italy and the École française de Rome to highlight the historical and artistic heritage of Palazzo Farnese. Therefore, various artists and researchers are invited to bring their contributions to the knowledge and appropriation of this unique heritage. Throughout the restoration campaign, they will therefore be invited to work directly on the palisades of the site to propose to the public a contemporary reinterpretation of Palazzo Farnese and the works that have taken part in its history. Through this project, the stone and brick facades created by four illustrious architects (Antonio da Sangallo, Michelangelo, the Vignola and Giacomo Della Porta) will regain their original beauty. In 1513, Antonio da Sangallo started construction of the main facade. In 1546, after the death of the first architect, Michelangelo continued the construction site; he made the cornice of the palace, modified the large window of the main facade, and built the second floor of the inner courtyard. Beginning in 1550, Vignola participated in the building of the facade on Via del Mascherone. Finally, in 1573, Giacomo Della Porta undertook the construction of the rear wing and completed the facade facing the Tiber in 1589. Symbols representing the Palace’s tenants are then depicted on the façade: the festoons, palms and oak of Pope Alexander VII Chigi; the ears of wheat of the Vasa dynasty to which Christina of Sweden, who stayed at the Palace, belonged; and the fleur-de-lis of the Farnese family.

“The work will be completed for the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy and the École française de Rome in 2025, an event for which Palazzo Farnese will regain its original splendor,” announced Martin Briens, French Ambassador to Italy, stressing how “significant France’s investment and commitment to preserving its cultural heritage is.”

Start of the third phase of the restoration of the facades and roofs of Palazzo Farnese in Rome

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