Palazzo Tonti

In the 17th century the Palazzo was home to nobles and high prelates, until it was purchased by Cardinal Tonti. Rich and powerful, he was appointed titular archbishop of Nazareth by the pope, and because of this was known as Cardinal Nazareno.
Upon his death, the cardinal decided to leave the palace to San Giuseppe Calasanzio, founder of the Piarist fathers, to turn it into a school. The newly founded Collegio was named after him and provided education for children of poor families.
Between the 18th and 19th century the Collegio acquired increasing prestige and began to host the sons of the aristocracy. It became the Nobile Collegio del Nazareno, famous across Europe. Politicians, cardinals and diplomats were educated here.
The building continued to grow with the addition of a theatre, new classrooms, staircases, galleries, frescoes and a delightful indoor garden.
In the twentieth century the school strengthened its reputation for excellence with the recognition by the Kings of Italy first and the Presidents of the Italian Republic later.
In 1970 female students were admitted for the first time. Due to families increasingly moving out of the city center, the Collegio closed its classrooms in 1999. Since then, the building has experienced a slow decline.

Today, a massive yet respectful restoration project has brought the Palazzo back to life. The architectural magnificence of the historic spaces now serves as the backdrop for the new Palazzo Talìa hotel.