Galleria Spada nel Palazzo Spada (Spada Gallery in Spada Palace), Rome

In the midst of a neighborhood dominated by grand and imposing palaces, Palazzo Spada on Piazza Capo di Ferro stands out with its captivating charm. Its ornate courtyard, adorned with intricate ornaments, creates a striking contrast to the austere surroundings. As you cast your gaze upwards, you'll be mesmerized by the stuccoes and statues that grace the upper stories of the palace. While it houses an impressive collection of Old Master paintings, it is most renowned for its trompe-l'oeil garden gallery, a delightful testament to the architectural whimsy that captivated wealthy Romans in the 17th century.

Even if you choose not to venture inside the gallery, be sure to step into the courtyard. Through the glass window of the library, you'll catch a glimpse of the adjacent courtyard's colonnaded corridor. Prepare to be astounded as your eyes deceive you—a seemingly endless 26-foot-long gallery quadruples in depth before your eyes. This remarkable optical illusion, a triumph of perspective, stretches out into the distance, culminating in a grand statue. However, as you approach, the truth is revealed—the corridor narrows progressively, and the columns diminish in size, leading to a humble 2-foot-tall statue. This captivating spectacle, long attributed to Borromini but now credited to the Augustinian priest Giovanni Maria da Bitonto, exemplifies the Baroque period's penchant for optical tricks and stands as one of its most celebrated creations.

Venturing upstairs, you'll encounter a resplendent picture gallery reminiscent of noble estates, where paintings are displayed as they would have been in the past, stacked nearly to the ceiling. Among the outstanding works, you'll find Brueghel's "Landscape with Windmills", Titian's evocative "Musician", and Andrea del Sarto's masterful "Visitation". Take a moment to peruse the fact-sheets accompanying each room, offering insightful descriptions of the objects on display.