In Fellini's film Lo Sciecco Bianco, one of the main characters, Wanda, wishes to find Lo Sciecco Bianco at his film studio on Via XXIV Maggio. Following Via XXIV Maggio she would arrive here at Piazza del Quirinale. In the centre is the Fountain of Dioscuri showing Castor and Pollux restraining their horses on their hind feet.
The statues were originally found in the Baths of Constantine and carried here by Sixtus V. They are actually Roman Copies of 4th- 5th century Greek originals. Between the statues we see an obelisk - pleced there later and originally from the Mausoleum of August.
The Quirinal palace rises on the Piazza. It takes its name from the hill on which is located (hill of Quirinus as Sabins called Mars). It was built in 1574 under Gregory XIII and finished in the XVIII century and was intended to offer the Pope a wholesome summer residence.From 1870 on the Palace became the residence of Italian King but since 1947 has been the seat of President of Italian Republic.
Several architects such as Maderno, Ponzio, Bernini, Fontana and Fuga contributed to the embellishment of the building
The Palace may be visited on permission - it features beautiful frescoes - Christ in glory among angels by Melozzo da Forli and the Annunciation by Guido Reni (1609) in the Annunciation Chapel and the Pauline Chapel which sheltered several conclaves, having a stuccoed vault by Martino Ferabosco (1617).
- We have a choice of locations to visit from here.
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Or allow the tour to lead you through location by location
Last Updated 13th of May 1997
