Palazzo Madama is, from the November 28th of the 1871, the official seat of the Senate (first of the Kingdom of Italy and then of the Republic). In reality, in addition to the merely civil and institutional functions, the palace of Rome has a long history behind it, which actually begins at the end of the XV century, so about six centuries ago.

At that time the whole area was under the control of the Abbey of Farfa. Because of bequests and parental relations, the palace became part of the immense heritage of the Medici family. It will be the cardinal Giovanni de Medici, Lawrence the Magnificent's son, to purchase the building, after having lived in rent. We are in the 1505. His purpose was to give a worthy home to the noble family from Florence, that fell in disgrace in its native city, in order to counterbalance the great power of the Della Rovere family, though continuing with the election of pope Julius II (1503). As always, at that times, the rivalry between two noble families brought. with the modern perspective, an attempt to surpass in beauty and opulence, the enemy clan. All in our favour! Giovanni de Medici, who was to become Pope with the name of Leone X in 1513 (just as a result of Julius II), gave new prestige to the family in Rome. And that is the reason why Palazzo Madama can be considered as a real renaissance building.

The facade is sober but decorated with order by a series of windows with the gables and different, with a series of stucco reliefs immediately under the cornice. In spite of the many restorations that have occurred in the course of the centuries, the core of the building is still in the sixteenth century. But his name, Madama (madame in ancient italian), has to do with one of the most illustrious guests that the building has ever had: Margaret of Austria. She was the powerful Charles V's daughter, a member of the family of Habsburg, who became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and king of a vast kingdom that included some of the lands, newly discovered, beyond the Atlantic. Margaret before married Alessandro de Medici and then, in a second marriage, Ottavio Farnese (another member of an aristocratic family). This was the true moment that Margaret, called Madame by all, entered the palace, bringing with her the glitz, luxury and the taste of the renaissance for the decorations, the parties and elegant dinners but, at the same time lavish.

But there was another distinguished lady who earned the nickname Madama and who lived in this palace in Rome: I am speaking about Violante Beatrice of Bavaria. We are in the first half of the Eighteenth century, and this noble lady was the last member of the Medici family to live here. She, however, left her mark being always surrounded by intellectuals, poets and musicians. With her Palazzo Madama and the court got new energy,  even if over the years it got lost over, remaining only a vague memory to disappear all the appointment of the palace, the seat of the Senate. It's a shame, but from another point of view it is curious to note how, today, we often talk about the Palazzo Madama, heard about it or political news. And it is interesting to discover, in spite of everything, how the perpetual memory of two women who made the court life within this palace a kind dream, is still on everyone's lips. Two Madama who, in one way or another, made to the building what is today: a sense of wonder.