Palazzo Gra

The Palazzo Borromeo, also known as the Palazzina di Pio IV, is a sixteenth-century Renaissance building in Rome's Pinciano district. The architect Pirro Ligorio originally designed the building for Pope Pius IV, who later gave it to his nephews. After a checkered history of ownership, including by the Colonna family, the palace has served since 1929 as the Italian embassy to the Holy See. As the only embassy building in the world located in its own country, it does not enjoy extraterritoriality. You can admire the historic facade, while the interior features frescoes and stucco work associated with Pope Pius IV and Marcantonio Colonna.