193.

Giardino Colonna nel clivo del Quirinale

Since the middle ages, the Colonna family have occupied the area of the palazzo (1) on the left (see Plate 63 for a better view of the Palazzo facing onto Piazza SS. Aportoli) and the clivo (slope) of the Quirinal hill on the right which forms the setting for the Giardino Colonna. Early maps show the slope to be uncultivated and without its distinctive garden terraces. In 1625 the Maggi map indicates the beginning of a garden in the lower part which develops over the next century into the three terraces and ornate fountains visible in this print. Vasi informs us that the fountains and stair opening onto the lower terrace (3) are "new," as is the casino (4) in the distance, "built over ancient walls." This is a reference to the ancient Temple of Serapis (once thought to be Temple of the Sun; see Plate 193A) which was partially demolished in 1625. Vasi shows three of the four bridges spanning Via della Pilotta (2) which connect to the piano nobile of Palazzo Colonna from the lower garden terrace (the fourth and nearest bridge is invisible in this print). Nolli shows only the two outer bridges on his map: Strada della Pilotta con due Archi, leading one to deduce that the two middle bridges must have been added between 1748 and 1761, the respective publication dates of the Nolli map and Vasi's tenth volume. The wing of the palazzo to which the middle bridges connect (partly visible at far left) was built at the same time, replacing a garden wall which appears on the Nolli map. The top terrace on the right has a gate opening onto the Piazza del Quirinale also know in Vasi’s day as Piazza di Monte Cavallo, Plate 61.