PIAZZA NAVONA

Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne

The palace is still the residence of Prince Maximus Family, an ancient Roman dynasty who claimed descent from the gens Fabia and, in particular from Quintus Fabius Maximus, "il temporeggiatore” (=the wait and see consul) (275-203 BC), who was five times consul and princeps senatus, and owes its fame to the war against Hannibal.

The current palace Maximum "alle colonne” (=columns) was built by Baldassarre Peruzzi between 1532 and 1536 on a previous building, which in turn had been erected over the Odeon of Domitian. The front curve of the building traces the shape of the auditorium of the Odeon, which was connected to the stadium of Domitian.
The palace is said “alle colonne” because of the six columns at the entrance of the building.
Inside (not open) there is a remarkable cycle of frescoes "stories of Fabius Maximus" by Daniele da Volterra (1509-1566).

The back of the building facing Piazza dei Massimi was probably frescoed by Daniele da Volterra.