Palazzo Colonna

Nancy and Janet visited Galleria Colonna in the morning. This palazzo was established by the Colonna family with roots to the 12th century and the 20th generation heirs reside there today. The Callona family were prominent in the social, political and religious leadership of Rome with one pope (Martin V who was the first pope in Rome after the exile for 70 years to Avignon ending the Western Schism in 1417). He lived in the Palazzo while things were prepped for official return to the Papal Palace. They visited "Isbelle's Apartments" on the first floor; she was the last person to live in the Palazzo with aristocratic status as aristocratic titles were removed from everyone in 1968. She came from a wealthy Lebanese family and married a Colonna prince. She was a socialite, interior decorator and art collector. She died in 1986. Very beautiful decorating and art collection. The 2nd floor was only opened to the public a year ago; the family having moved objects from their private collection for public viewing. The family (4 "princes" and families) have apartments on the 3rd and 4th floors and also rent out part of the palazzo which seemed to take up at least two city blocks. Of interest, there was a cannon ball embedded into the marble staircase from a shot fired in 1749.Read more