Rome's Most Expensive Home Is Better Than Bellissimo, It’s Art
Italy is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, and Rome is one of its most beautiful cities. So this mansion might just be the most gorgeous residential place up for sale.
Located in the heart of Rome on the famed Via Guilia, Palazzo Sacchetti is a palatial Renaissance-era, 15-bedroom work of art that can be yours — if the price is right (and it appears to be quite steep). Come take a look at this estate’s rich history and its mind-bogglingly beautiful artworks that have survived for several hundred years.
The History
Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, a master architect who often worked for Pope Paul III, designed and built this house as his own residence in 1542 (Sangallo built the Sala Regia and the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican). It was one of Sangallo’s final projects; he died in 1546.
The History, Continued
The home has changed hands many times throughout the years. After Sangallo died, the Archbishop of Naples purchased it in 1608 and built a chapel, which was frescoed by the artist Agostino Ciampelli, according to the listing at Sotheby’s International Realty. In the latter half of the 17th century, Marquis Sacchetti purchased it. The Sacchettis were, and are, an Italian noble family which still has ties to the Vatican.
The History, Continued
The home’s last owner appears to have been Robert Zellinger De Balkany, according to Mansion Global. Zellinger De Balkany was a wealthy property developer who introduced American-inspired shopping centers to France. He left behind a treasure trove of art — including this mansion — when he died in 2015.
How Much Is It?
If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. At Sotheby’s International Realty, the mansion is listed as a prestigious “price available upon request.” However, in 2017 Mansion Global reported that Palazzo Sacchetti was up for sale for 57 million euros, which equates to about $63 million today. To our knowledge, this would make Palazzo Sacchetti the most expensive home in Rome, and perhaps all of Italy, that is currently for sale.
The Garden Is Incredible
Street Gawkers can partially see into the home’s magnificent 7,405-square-foot courtyard garden via its stone portal. The house is located on Via Giulia, a 500-year-old cobblestone road lined with churches and other estates that belong only to the wealthiest upper crust.
It Has a Nymphaeum
The garden has a 750 square-foot nymphaeum — quite literally a shrine for nymphs. This long, stonework area is bookended by reliefs of satyrs pulling back curtains to reveal a mural depicting the sky.
It Has a Nymphaeum, Continued
For being outdoors, the nymphaeum is in surprisingly good condition, and the artwork is impeccable. Carlo Rainaldi built this nymphaeum in 1660.
The Staterooms Are Museums
It might not be too much of an exaggeration to say that Palazzo Sacchetti can induce Stendhal syndrome for those who are a bit too sensitive to beautiful artwork. The home has staterooms that might as well be museums.
Many Artists Worked Here
Artists who painted the palace’s many frescoes include Jacopino del Conte and Pietro da Cortona. Conte was a 16th-century Mannerist painter and Cortona was an influential Baroque artist and architect who painted the “Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power.”
Many Artists Worked Here, Continued
The stateroom doubles as an entrance hall, with well over a dozen statues and busts in niches.
There’s Stained Glass, Too
Squares of antique stained glass let in shards of light above the entry. Frescoes presented here include an inspiration taken from Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Sun and Moon” fresco from the Sistine Chapel and a painting of Madonna and child.
There’s Art Everywhere
There are 12 of these large rooms with various kinds of art in the main building.
There’s Art Everywhere, Continued
According to Mansion Global, Zellinger De Balkany passed away before he could renovate the property.
There’s Art Everywhere, Continued
The estate’s main house is a total of 21,797 square feet. On this floor, a single hall passes directly through many staterooms.
There’s Art Everywhere, Continued
According to the listing, this hallway has “invisible doors” which lead to utility rooms like studies, bathrooms and cloakrooms. The property has a total of eight bathrooms.
There’s Art Everywhere, Continued
Each of these grand rooms has distinguishing features, such as a differing floor tiling.
There’s Art Everywhere, Continued
The hall ends on a balcony that overlooks the garden.
There’s a Chapel
Also accessible from the grand hall is a chapel, which was built by the Archbishop of Naples during the early 17th century. Agostino Ciampelli frescoed above the altar.
The Globes Room Is Incredible
This murals and paintings in this room — which depict stories from the life of David — were done by Francesco Salviati, an Italian mannerist who lived in the room during the 16th century. Marble frames each door, and two astonishing globes catch the eye.
The Globes Room Is Incredible, Continued
These globes were created by Vincenzo Coronelli, a 17th-century cartographer whose globes were so beautiful the Duke of Pharma made him his theologian. King Louis XIV commissioned Coronelli’s globes for the Palace of Versailles; they are now at the National Library of France.
One of his globes that measures 108 centimeters in diameter sold for £72,000 at auction in 2006. That equates to about £102,000 or $127,000 today. His globes were made of strips of bent wood coated in plaster and layers of fabric.
One globe is terrestrial, the other celestial.
There’s Lots of Outdoor Living Space
Soak up the Roman sun on the estate’s 2,960 square feet of terrace and four balconies.
The Price Includes More Than the Mansion
While the mansion is the main attraction, Palazzo Sacchetti includes a few other buildings, too. There is a 1,400-square-foot apartment adjacent to the main floor with street access, a 2,583-square-foot building next to the nymphaeum and a three-story office building. A few businesses have offices there, including a law firm and an interior design business.
It Was Featured in an Award-Winning Film
The interior and the garden can be seen in “The Great Beauty,” a 2013 drama by Paolo Sorrentino. The movie won an Oscar and Golden Globe for best foreign language film among a slew of other international awards. Pictured here is an aerial view of the garden, which does a great job showing its sprawling splendor.
It Was Featured in an Award-Winning Film, Continued
The garden includes citrus trees, a fountain and immaculately pruned hedges.
The Exterior Is Imposing
Palazzo Sacchetti towers over the street as a three-stories tall brick facade with travertine windows.
‘The Perfect Building’
According to the listing, Sangallo dedicated the last years of his life to make Palazzo Sacchetti the “perfect building.” Do you think he accomplished his goal?
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