Behind the Galleria Corsini, in Trastevere, stands a palace with an extraordinary backstory: Palazzo Corsini, tied to one of the most fascinating figures of 17th-century Europe, Queen Christina of Sweden. A learned, unconventional sovereign and a champion of the arts, Christina abdicated her throne, converted to Catholicism, and chose Rome as her home, living in this very palace (then Palazzo Riario), where she held a celebrated court of intellectuals and where she died. Her story gives the place a singular allure.

Queen Christina of Sweden

Christina of Sweden (1626-1689), daughter of King Gustavus Adolphus, was an extraordinary, rule-breaking queen: a lover of philosophy, science, and the arts, she summoned thinkers such as Descartes to her court. In 1654 she abdicated the Swedish throne and, having converted to Catholicism, was welcomed in triumph to Rome, where she spent the rest of her life. In Rome she became a patron, a collector, and a cultural force, founding an academy that gave rise to the Arcadia.

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Christina and the palace

Christina lived in the palace (at the time Palazzo Riario) on Via della Lungara, turning it into a hub of culture: she gathered books, works of art, and antiquities here and hosted artists, scientists, and writers. It was here that the queen died in 1689. Her collection and her intellectual legacy left a deep mark on the Rome of her day. Centuries later, the palace was bought and enlarged by the Corsini family, becoming today's Palazzo Corsini.

From Palazzo Riario to Palazzo Corsini

In the 18th century the Corsini family — connected to Pope Clement XII — bought the palace and had it enlarged and remodeled by the architect Ferdinando Fuga, giving it the monumental look it has today. They installed their own art collection here, the core of the present-day Galleria Corsini. The palace garden later became Rome's Botanical Garden.

What remains today

A visit to the Galleria Corsini takes you through the rooms of the palace tied to this story: the halls, the staircase, the atmosphere of a grand residence. There is something captivating about knowing that a queen who gave up a throne for culture and freedom once lived within these walls. For a closer look at the works, see what to see at the Galleria Corsini.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Christina of Sweden? A learned, unconventional Queen of Sweden (1626-1689) who, after abdicating in 1654 and converting to Catholicism, lived in Rome as a patron and collector, enlivening the city's cultural life.

What is her connection to Palazzo Corsini? Christina lived and died in the palace (then Palazzo Riario), on Via della Lungara, making it a hub of culture. The Corsini family later bought and enlarged it.

Why is the palace called Corsini? Because in the 18th century it was bought by the Corsini family (connected to Pope Clement XII), who had it remodeled by Ferdinando Fuga and installed their own art collection here.

What does the Botanical Garden have to do with it? The garden of Palazzo Corsini later became Rome's Botanical Garden, which can be visited today in Trastevere.

Can you see the rooms of the palace? Yes: a visit to the Galleria Corsini takes you through the halls and staircase of the palace, with all the atmosphere of a great noble residence.

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Article #612 · Category: Museums · Updated: May 2026