Rezidenza Ruspoli Bonaparte
Category: Hotels
Location: Rome, Italy
The Palazzo Ruspoli, located on Via Condotti, just a couple of minutes from the Spanish Steps, is one of the most prestigious renaissance buildings in Rome.
Throughout the years, it has been the home to some of Rome’s most prominent families, but since 1776, it has been the residence of the Ruspoli family. Their crest is found in the beautiful stone floors of the palace, but the most famous part is the staircase, built in 1640 by the Caetani family and arrayed in four flights of 30 steps, ten feet long and two feet wide.
It is constructed entirely of monolithic marble steps, and is considered one of the four wonders of Rome, with antique busts of former emperors and gods decorating the walls along the stairs.
In 1709, Francesco Marescotti Ruspoli was made a prince by Pope Clement XI. In 1948, in effect of the creation of the Italian Republic, Italian nobility ceased to exist. But, as the prince title of the Ruspolis had been awarded by the Pope, ruler of the Vatican and thus not an official part of Italy, they – together with thirteen other prince families, including House of Borgia, House of Borghese, House of Barberini and House of Colonna – were allowed continued use of their royal status.
The illustrious past of the family and the palazzo is noticeable in the name of the B&B that is currently part of the palace: In 1830 Napoleon III lived here.
His mother, Hortense de Beauharnais, also lived here for several years, which is why some of the rooms have French-styled ceilings, while the rest of the palazzo is decorated with traditional Italian cassette ceilings.
Another celebrity who lived here for an extended period of time was George Frideric Händel, who was the “Kapellmeister” to the Ruspoli family. Today, it is owned by Prince Pietro and Letizia Ruspoli.
Staff is on site during the day.
The allegory between architecture and fashion might be overused, but serves its purpose in describing this B&B experience: to stay here is to be dressed in the finest garments, in one of the most comfortable places in Rome.
It is as elegant as it is relaxed. Close by are many of Rome’s most famous restaurants, including the classic Trattoria al Moro (a favourite in the Ruspoli family).
The bed & breakfast only has four rooms.
All suites are decorated with historical furniture and beautiful artworks.
The Suite Emperor Bonaparte also comes with its own private terrace, which makes it tempting to just stay at home with a bottle of wine and some pizza in this peaceful place, right in the middle of central Rome.
Rome, Italy