ROME (AP) - Each year, millions of tourists flock to the iconic Colosseum and the stunning Sistine Chapel, yet only an exclusive few ever gain entry to Rome's most opulent site: the Colonna Palace. This private home-museum remains largely hidden from the public eye, occupying four wings across an entire block in the heart of the city. The owners of this baroque treasure maintain a strong commitment to privacy, revealing the palace’s rich collection of paintings, sculptures, busts, tapestries, and the remarkable 76-meter (249-foot) Great Hall only to small groups of ten people at a time, guided by knowledgeable art historians during select hours on Friday and Saturday mornings.
"We cannot have mass tourism. It is not the wish," remarked Elisabetta Cecchini, a restorer at the palace, emphasizing the importance of public appreciation for art. She further stated, "It is not intended as a museum to be commodified." The sitting prince, Don Prospero Colonna, continues to reside in the palace, granting occasional permission for events, such as the 2005 release of a book by Pope John Paul II and the 2018 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition showcasing Catholic fashion, which attracted notable figures like designer Donna Versace and Vogue's Anna Wintour. Such occurrences represent rare opportunities for journalists to access the palace.
Support for the palace’s selective accessibility comes from Claudio Strinati, a former superintendent of Rome's museums, who describes it as "indubitably one of humanity's greatest artistic heritages" that the Colonna family has a responsibility to safeguard. He asserts that these artworks "were not conceived as tourist attractions" but are meant for those who possess a deeper understanding of history.
The Colonna Palace has belonged to the Colonna family since the 12th century and is part of the "black nobility," a term that refers to Roman families loyal to the Pope during the establishment of a unified Italy in 1870. During this period, the Colonnas displayed black banners outside their palaces in mourning while keeping their priceless masterpieces hidden within. For two centuries, the family has upheld a trust ensuring that the palace's treasured works of art will remain within its walls. Princess Isabella Colonna played a pivotal role in preserving the family's heritage by safely hiding the artworks during the Nazi invasion of Rome. She ordered that all art be crammed into a remote wing of the palace, sealing the entrances, which ultimately eluded discovery by soldiers.
Today, the palace's interior narrates a rich history of power and privilege. The Throne Room features a portrait of Oddone Colonna, who became Pope Martin V in 1417 and established the palace as the papal residence for a decade. In the Great Hall, the frescoed ceiling illustrates the accomplishments of Commander Marcantonio Colonna, whose naval victories in the 16th century were pivotal for Europe. "We can say that the Colonna cannot exist without Rome, but even Rome cannot exist without the Colonnas," stated Patrizia Piergiovanni, the director of the palace's gallery, while standing in a courtyard adorned with orange trees. "Being one of the great families, they have contributed a lot."
Under Princess Isabella’s approval, the Great Hall became the filming location for the final scene of the classic 1952 film "Roman Holiday." Actress Audrey Hepburn, portraying a beloved princess, addressed the press, reflecting fondly on her experiences in Europe. When asked about her favorite city, Hepburn replied, "Rome, by all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live."
