Isabel Gertrude Sweeney
Trip to Italy: Summer 1935
Prince and Princess Barberini
Research

Since I had never heard of the Prince and Princess Barberini, I decided to do a little research. Below is some of what I have found.

Barberini: The Barberini family was a powerful Italian family, originally from Tuscany, who settled in Florence during the early 11th century. After Maffeo Barberini became Pope, he helped other family memebers:
• Brother Antonio became a distinguished soldier
• Nephews Antonio and Francesco became cardinals
• Nephew Taddeo was given the principality of Palestrina and was made leader of the papal army.

Neighboring princes made war upon Taddeo, and defeated the papal troops in the first War of Castro. After Urban's death in 1644 his successor, Pope Innocent X, was hostile to the family so Taddeo fled to Paris.

Taddeo died in Paris in 1647, and with him the family became extinct in the male line. In 1728, his daughter Cornelia married Prince Giulio Cesare Colonna di Sciarra of the Colonna family, who added her name to his own.

On the death of Prince Enrico Barberini-Colonna the name went to his daughter and heiress Donna Maria. Her husband, Marquis Luigi Sacchetti, received the title of prince of Palestrina and permission to bear the name of Barberini.

Frascati: approximately 12 miles south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills close to the ancient city of Tusculum. Famous for its notable villas of the Papal Nobility, built from the 16th century as "status symbols" of Roman aristocracy. In 1943, during World War II, Frascati was heavily bombed and many of the villas were destroyed.

Since a list of current villas does not include one with any of the surnames I’ve seen associated with the Barberini’s, my guess is that villa visited was one of those destroyed.

Palestrina: 23 miles east of Rome, an ancient city of Latium and sited on a strategic spur of the Apennine Mountains. Archeological findings indicate that it was inhabited as early as 8th century BC. It was completely destroyed by wars several times, and rebuilt. The modern day town was built on the same site once occupied by the ancient Temple of Fortuna Primigenia. Bombing during WW II exposed remnants of the temple.

Its cool breezes made it a favorite summer resort for wealthy Romans, whose villas dot the countryside.

Palazzo Barberini: In 1949, it passed to the State and now houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art.

The site was originally owned by the Sforza family. In 1625, because of financial difficulties, Cardinal Alessandro Sforza sold the property to Maffeo Barberini, who later became Pope Urban VIII. Construction of the Palazzo began in 1627. It was created by three great architects: Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borrmini and Bernini, the sculptor.

After the death of Urban VIII, the palace was confiscated by the Vatican but later returned to the Bernini family in 1633.

Obituaries:
Donna Maria Colonna Barberini, 8th Princess of Palestrina, Lord of Monte Castel San Pietro, Capranica Prenestina, Great of Spain and Nobile Romano Coscritto Daughter of Don Enrico and Teresa Orsini, she married Don Luigi Barberini of the Marquesses Sacchetti. She lived (1872-1955).
Donna Stefanella Barberini Colonna di Sciarra(daughter of the late Don Maffeo Berberini Colonna di Sciarra, Prince di Carbognano and of the late Aliette de Bonneval) died in Rome on January 27th, 1999.




www.familyhistorians.net

Last Updated: 6 Aug 2006