PALAZZO NUNES TORLONIA

The palace was built in 1660 by the architect Giovanni Antonio De Rossi, based on a design by Bernini, and commissioned by the Marquis Francesco Nuñez Sanchez. In 1806 it was sold to Luciano Bonaparte, Prince of Canino and Napoleon's brother, who made extensive renovations and also built a small theatre. Madama Letizia, Napoleon's mother, and the Emperor's brother Jerome, King of Westphalia, also stayed here for a long time. In 1842 the palace was bought by Mario Torlonia, who had it restored by Antonio Sarti, also enlarging the façade on Via Bocca di Leone, which was enlarged for the occasion. The main façade has three floors with fourteen windows and a large portal leading to a garden, adorned by a fountain with the Torlonia coat of arms. Another fountain with a sarcophagus and a marble plaque commemorating Mario Torlonia was placed in front of the portal. The cornice has fleurs-de-lis instead of Napoleon's bees, due to the bad relations between Lucien Bonaparte and his brother Napoleon.