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Palazzo Accoramboni in Capranica: a tragic story with a view of the Via Francigena
Today it serves as the town hall, but Palazzo Accoramboni in Capranica was born from a story of passion and power. It was designed by Giacomo del Duca, a pupil of Michelangelo, for the beautiful Vittoria Accoramboni, whose life was marked by a scandalous love affair and the violent death of her first husband. It is a building that continues to speak about her.
An authored design for a turbulent life
Construction began in 1571. The building was intended as a residence for Vittoria and Duke Paolo Giordano Orsini, following the assassination of her first husband Francesco Peretti Mignucci. The palazzo remained in the hands of the Accoramboni family until the 18th century, before passing to the Porta family and falling into a long period of abandonment, until it was eventually restored in the 1980s.
What to see today: frescoes and gardens
Passing through the main door on Piazza San Francesco, one enters rooms decorated with mythological frescoes, typical of the late Renaissance. But the real surprise is the recently restored winter garden. Like a loggia, looking directly out over the gorge through which the ancient Via Francigena passes, it offers a unique view over the green woodland of the Acquaforte forest.
As the seat of the Municipality of Capranica, the palazzo is accessible during office hours. Access to the frescoed rooms may be limited; it is advisable to check whether they are open in advance. The winter garden is generally open to visitors. The entrance is at Corso Francesco Petrarca, 40.
