Design

Palazzo Talìa (RM)

by Lavinia Colonna Preti
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

In the center of Rome, its most noble and ancient college has been transformed into a wonderful 5-star boutique hotel with the cinematic touch of the Oscar-winning director and interior designer Luca Guadagnino and the collaboration of the most important craftsmen and artists of the Capital.

Inaugurated in 2024, Palazzo Talìa, located in Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, is a compendium of the great beauty of the Eternal City: here you can find busts and ornaments of Classical Rome, the magnificence of the Renaissance, custom decorations by the finest craftsmen, and the magical touch that only cinema can give.

After a long restoration, it was the Roman Federici family, active in the real estate sector, who strongly wanted the project, inspired by the history of the Palace that stands above the Virgo Aqueduct, the only one still in operation, which also feeds the nearby Trevi Fountain. Here. in Roman times, nymphs and muses were worshipped, and Talìa, the muse of comedy, was chosen to represent the new hotel.

Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

We want to carry on the history of such a significant place with a great sense of responsibility, for this reason we have taken care of every little detail of the hotel, imagining it as a cradle of the arts and a center of international sociality.

(Federici family)

The Palace dates back to the Renaissance when the humanist Angelo Maria Colocci, secretary of Leo X de’ Medici, built his residence here, until 1600 when it was purchased by Cardinal Tonti, known as the Nazarene, who upon his death left it to San Giuseppe Calasanzio, founder of the Scolopi fathers, who transformed it into the Collegio del Nazareno.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the College became increasingly prestigious and began to host the children of the aristocracy, becoming one of the most famous in Europe where politicians, cardinals and diplomats were trained, until a slow oblivion in the second half of the twentieth century that led to its definitive closure in 1999.

Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

The design of all the common areas and the beautiful Terrace Suite was entrusted to the studio of Luca Guadagnino, Oscar winner for “Call Me by Your Name”, who created timeless and highly elegant environments that blend perfectly with the heritage of the place.

To do so, he relied on a team of exceptional master craftsmen who created unique and extraordinary objects for Palazzo Talìa, such as the carpets designed by Nigel Peake, the chandeliers by Luca Cenedese in Murano glass, or the lava stone tables by Rosario Parrinello.

Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

The scenic power of the project is revealed to us in all its strength when we walk up the staircase that leads to the main floor to the corridor where 60 wonderful Roman busts from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD found in the College have been relocated. From there, we access the former Great Hall, decorated with 18th-century frescoes by the painter Gaspare Serenari, perfect for events or, if necessary, joinable to the adjacent suites such as Talìa Suite.

The 25 rooms (plus Guadagnino’s Terrace Suite), each different from the other, were designed by the interior design studio of Mia Home Design by Marianna Lubrano and by Laura Feroldi Studio and furnished with high-quality Italian craftsmanship, such as the headboards in fabrics designed by Milla Novo, furniture by Bonacina, Cassina, Somaschini, and wonderful works by the Roman photographer Elisabetta Catalano.

Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

Given the great significance that the College has for the city, the Federici family strongly wanted all the hotel services to be open to the public, such as, in particular, the Tramae restaurant, nestled in the green internal courtyard, and the Bar della Musa, certainly one of the most beautiful in Italy, with original mirrored walls that amplify the visual impact of the frescoed ceiling.

The structure offers a beautiful spa with vaulted ceilings of ancient stones, a 33 m2 heated swimming pool, sauna, and Turkish bath.

Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

Everything is taken care of down to the smallest details, followed by the attentive and ever-present eye of the Federici family, from the floral furnishings by Dylan Trip, to the uniforms designed specifically by Claire Crowley, up to the many contemporary works of art such as the paintings by Delphina Scarpa.

Certainly one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, already become a timeless classic just a few months after opening.

The Secret

For a period, the Collegio del Nazereno was also home to the Liceo Classico attended by the Roman upper middle class, with many famous former students such as Dario Argento, Christian De Sica, Carlo Verdone. It is precisely to pay homage to its old classrooms that Carlo Verdone made it the protagonist of the set of the film Acqua e Sapone.

Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets
Palazzo Talìa (RM) — Lazio Secrets

Useful Info


Palazzo Talìa
Largo del Nazareno 25
00187 Roma
Tel. +39 06 692521

Rooms from 800 euro with breakfast included

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