To my question how to title today’s entry, Olaf replied: "Rome of Black Aristocracy!"
Each family which gave a pope, received the title of prince. As nothing was done without big money of the bishops and cardinals, we can safely say that the aristocracy during the Renaissance was born in black cassocks!
The family Colonna (from the word colonna - column) gave Pope Martin V.
Marcantonio Colonna defeated the Turks at Lepanto (1571).
The huge palace is still in the hands of the Colonna family, and only a small portion - Art Gallery - is made available to visitors only on Saturdays for a few hours (admission 16 euros).
The frescoes depict the victorious battle; three huge rooms with yellow columns collect paintings and sculptures speaking of the splendour of the family, and the throne room has a seat reserved for the papal visit only.
Hundreds of paintings from XV - XVII century adorn the walls of the palace making an impressive art collection.
