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Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in San Martino al Cimino: The Residence of Donna Olimpia
Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is located in San Martino al Cimino, in the province of Viterbo. It was commissioned by Princess Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj in the mid-17th century, who transformed a monastic building into a princely residence. The palace forms part of the Art Bonus programme of the Lazio Region.
From Cistercian Monastery to Princely Palace
The current building grew out of the Palatium Parvum, a structure built by Cistercian monks in the 13th century. At the base, the original peperino stone walls and Burgundian single-lancet windows are still visible. In the 15th century, Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini added a mezzanine floor. But the turning point came after the visit of Pope Innocent X in 1648, when Donna Olimpia began the expansion works. The intervention was not limited to the palace — it redeveloped the entire village, along the lines of Piazza Navona.
The Spiral Staircase and the Sala Regia
The most striking feature is the spiral staircase, most likely designed by Borromini and built by De Rossi, which contained a helical structure, primarily intended for transporting firewood and furnishings to the piano nobile (main floor). The expansion works were completed in 1652, with the arrangement of the piano nobile into twelve rooms, featuring coffered ceilings, stucco-framed portals, wooden floors, and walnut doors. Of particular interest is the Sala Regia, with its 7-meter-high ceiling and paintings depicting the history of the Pamphilj and Doria families.
