Palazzo Barberini

The building is tied to the saga of the Barberini family, from which came Pope Urban VIII, made pontiff in 1623. Carlo Maderno began work in 1927, expanding upon the existing villa Sfora. In 1629, the Barberini family took it over. The young Borromini was also involved in the work, building the famous winding staircase. The interior decorations are the work of Pietro da Cortona and Andrea Sacchi. The building was purchased by the State in 1949. Today it houses, along with Palazzo Corsini, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica di Roma, with its collection spread over two floors and throughout 20 halls.