Italy Traveller Guide

The grand Palazzo della Cancelleria is the seat of the papal government that once ran the city; Bramante is thought to have had a hand in its design, and it is certainly a gorgeous and well-proportioned edifice, which exudes a cool poise quite at odds with the rather grimy nature of its surroundings. You can’t get in to see the interior, but you can stroll into the marvellously proportioned, multi-tiered courtyard which is treat enough in itself, although the adjacent church of San Lorenzo in Damaso also forms part of the complex and is open regular church hours.