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5 Interesting Facts About Palazzo Borghese:
* The "Cembalo" Shape: The Palazzo Borghese is famously known as "il Cembalo" (The Harpsichord) due to its unique shape. It has a long main façade and two shorter wings that extend backwards, creating a layout that resembles the musical instrument.
* Home to a Legendary Art Collection (Originally): While much of the Borghese art collection is now housed in the Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery), a separate building, the Palazzo was originally built to house the family's vast and impressive collection of masterpieces, including works by Bernini and Caravaggio.
* A "Secret" Hanging Garden: One of its most charming features is a spectacular inner courtyard that opens up to a large, elaborate hanging garden. This "secret" garden, elevated above street level, was a luxurious private retreat for the Borghese family.
* Papal Connections: The Borghese family was incredibly influential, even producing a Pope – Paul V (Camillo Borghese). His nephew, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, was a major patron of the arts and instrumental in expanding the family's collection and properties, including the Palazzo.
* Extensive Renovation and Expansion: The Palazzo wasn't built all at once. Its construction and subsequent expansions spanned over a century, involving several prominent architects of the time, including Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno, and Flaminio Ponzio, showcasing a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles.
