In 1644, Giovanni Battista Pamphilj hired architect Girolamo Rainaldi to expand and redesign a 14th-century palace owned by the Pamphilj dynasty, transforming it into a sumptuous symbol of the family’s power and prestige. Some of the best-known artists and architects in the city contributed to the project. Today, Palazzo Pamphilj is one of Rome’s baroque masterpieces, with lavish interior halls, courtyards, and galleries. Brazil has owned the palace since 1961.
You can book a guided tour of the palace with the Brazilian Embassy. Otherwise, tours of Piazza Navona and environs sometimes include a stop to admire the palace’s elegant facade.
Palazzo Pamphilj is a must-see for baroque architecture enthusiasts.
Tours last 40 minutes and are offered in Italian and Portuguese only—reserve via the Brazilian Embassy website.
The palace also houses the Galleria Candido Portinari, which hosts temporary art exhibits.
Some areas of the palace aren’t accessible to strollers and wheelchairs—confirm in advance.
Palazzo Pamphilj overlooks lively Piazza Navona in the center of Rome. Get there via one of the many buses that stop on nearby Largo di Torre Argentina.
The Brazilian Embassy offers guided visits each afternoon, which must be reserved in advance. The palace’s facade is particularly theatrical when lit at night, so stop by after sunset for dramatic photos.
Built as a symbol of the newly elected pope’s wealth and power, the palace’s ornate interiors were designed to dazzle. Besides the staircase and two courtyards, check out the splendid series of halls on the first floor, richly frescoed by some of Rome’s most famous 17th-century artists. The crown jewel is the Galleria Cortona, designed by Borromini and decorated by da Cortona, where the pope would entertain and hope to impress his most honored guests.
