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This palace, built on the piazza of the same name; adorned with two cup-shaped fountains, originally located at the Caracalla Thermal Baths, epitomises the classic style, typically expressed during the first decade of the 16th century. Construction began in 1525 by Antonio Sangallo, the younger, for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who became Pope Paul II in 1534. The work was completed after Sangallo's death by Michelangelo.
The palace's large scale, unitarian design, cuts an imposing profile into the urban landscape. It's uniqueness is surely a result of the distinct influences brought to light by the designers who built it; illustrated by the three rows of classic-style, tabernacle windows. The central window and balcony, along with the splendid entablature and most of the courtyard are Michelangelo's work.
The vast, luminous courtyard opens to an atrium, which leads to the the Sangallo portico, with its polished granite columns supporting the barrel-vaulted ceiling. This space, with its chiaroscuro contrasts, forms the central nucleus of the palazzo's interior. On the walls of the grand 'salone', which occupies two entire floors, hang valuable tapestries, which reproduce images from the Giotto frescoes, found in the Apartment of Pope Julius II. On either side of the splendid fireplace, at the far end of the room, stand two allegorical sculptures by Guglielmo della Porta, representing Peace and Abundance. Located on the first floor is the fresco gallery, with mythological works by Annibale Carraci and dal Domenichino.
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