the Piazza Farnese area

This is the area around and including Piazza Farnese. The Farnese family became very powerful when Cardinal Alessandro Farnese became Pope Paul III in 1534. He was the 1st Pope in the counter-reformation and acted more like a King than a Pope. He had 4 kids from unidentified mother, made 3 of them legitimate, then made them rich beyond words. He and his family for hundreds of years were great patrons of the arts. He continued funding for the Sistine Chapel (have you heard of it?), St.Peter's Basilica (hmm, that sounds familiar too), and the Palazzo Farnese.



In 1515 the architect Sangalo the Younger (ok, i really have not heard of him) started the palace. when he died, someone named Michelangelo took over (ok, there we go). It's considered a maserpiece of balance and proportion. (crickets chirping) Seriously people, it's amazing. Just because it doesn't have columns or spires...jeez, tough crowd. Anyway, since 1635 the French Embassy has been here. The inside is closed to the public, but I think I can convince them that I deserve a glimpse. I'll let you know how that goes.



This is the other side of the Piazza Farnese. My office is the one on the right, the white one.



Around the corner one way is the bridge from the Palazzo to the Convent of Santa Maria della Morte on the Tiber. The Farneses kept a lot of their art there and wanted a convenient way to get there without rubbing shoulders with--well, with the likes of plebes like me.



Just down from the bridge is the Fontana del Mascherone (Gargoyle fountain). It was built in 1626 but the marble tub and mask are from much earlier, probably from an old Roman bath.

Around another corner from the piazza is this spot where I like to sit and have a glass of whatever if I linger around after work. It has--and this just might shock you--a little history behind it. The Hostaria della Vacca belonged to Vanozza Caetani who lived from 1442-1518. "Who is she?" you might be asking yourself. Well...she had this boyfriend and had several kids with this guy. Who, who?! Well, his name was Rodrigo Borgia.

Who?

Um, hello? R o d r i g o B o r g i a . Better known later as Pope Alexander VI. Alright, now you're with me. (ok, so I didn't know who he was either. In fact, I never knew there was a Pope Alexander.) I'm telling you, these Popes were naughty boys.

Now, keeping track on the Perv-Pope-meter, that's upwards of 7 kids for 2 Popes. A grand start. Oh, yes, mom and Dad--we're keeping track.