On the eve of the end of his seven-year term the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella gave us a wonderful Christmas gift: an invitation to discover the Quirinale, the “House of the Italians” (as he likes to call it himself), as we have never done before, on the Internet. Thanks to a project created with Google Arts & Culture, after 12 months of work, now you can enter one of the most beautiful buildings in our country, including places that we have never physically been able to visit.
Just click on artsandculture.google.com and start the tour by choosing between rooms, themes or curiosities in one virtual route of 100 kilometers digitized with Street View, over 1000 high definition images and 60 digital stories created ad hoc that tell everything about this symbol of the history of Italy, built at the end of the 16th century to be the first papal seat and then the palace of the first king until it became (in 1948) the official seat of the presidency of the Republic.
The Courtyard of Honor also online is the best start: it is the large arcaded square that welcomes the entrance to the Quirinale, from which you climb the Staircase of Honor leading to the main rooms and halls which are a riot of decorations and frescoes. There Hall of the Zodiac is among the most fascinating: in the eastern wing of the building, overlooking the gardens, is entirely decorated with the signs of the Zodiac and each sign is depicted with a detail that characterizes it, also shown on the 12 red armchairs that are in the center. Then, among many, the Pauline Chapel, built by Pope Paul V Borghese to have the same space in the Quirinale as the Sistine Chapel (it also hosted the conclave), the Hall of Mirrors where the Savoy family organized lavish receptions and dances, the Salone dei Corazzieri which they used as a tennis court and skating rink, that of Parties where official meetings are held today and the government takes the oath, the Torrino which hosts state dinners with a wonderful view of Rome. Yes, with Google you also enter the study of the President of the Republic, where talks are held with representatives of parliamentary groups on the occasion of official consultations and meetings, such as those with heads of state or with the Pope.
In addition to the classic works of the historical collections the Google tour also shows 100 contemporary works of art and more than 100 design objects from the Colle. The most curious discovery? THE 200 watches scattered among corridors and rooms from all over the world, which are also repaired at the Quirinale, by skilled watchmakers who can be met virtually. Finally, there is also a look at the exteriors, among the most evocative corners of the gardens of the palace on the hill of Rome and then those of Castelporziano, the presidential estate on the outskirts of the capital.
Here are some images of the Quirinale on Google Arts & Culture:
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