In the stronghold of the Orsini

Going from Orsini alley where it intersects with via Montegiordano street level rises rather abruptly to form a small hill . Here is a building of the fifteenth century, Palazzo Taverna, built on the ruins of a medieval fortress belonged to Giordano Orsini , a member of one of the most powerful Roman families . When the fortress , mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy , was completely destroyed , the heap of ruins , which formed a veritable mountain was called Monte Giordano . Palazzo Orsini Tavern is the oldest building complex of the Orsini since 1286 , a real fortress bristling with towers and buildings divided among the various branches of the family : the Dukes of Bracciano , the accounts of Pitigliano , the lords of Marino and Monterotondo . The property was converted into a sumptuous aristocratic residence from Giordano Orsini , after the palace was looted and burned in 1485 during clashes with the faction of Cesare Borgia . In 1549 the palace was inhabited by Cardinal Ippolito d' Este , who used it as a place for social gatherings and cultural activities, such as hosting a writer Torquato Tasso. In 1688, Flavio Orsini , the last Duke of Bracciano , was forced to sell the complex to the brothers Gabrielli , an ancient Roman nobility , the Marquis : these you brought important changes giving the actual aspect and held it until 1888. The last change in ownership took place in favor of Taverna, who are still the owners. From the grand entrance to time you can catch a glimpse of the fountain built by Antonio Casoni in 1618 and located at the entrance of the cordoned leading to courtyards of the palace. This fountain consists of four successive concentric tanks and surrounded by a thick semicircular bay , was modified in the eighteenth century by Gabrielli , because earlier two bears heraldic symbols of the Orsini, were placed on top of two walls on the sides of a time fountain and from the mouth of which was leaving a gush that did reach the water in the second tank.