The Quirinal Palace - in Italian Palazzo del Quirinale - is the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. It stands on one of the tallest of Rome's seven hills - the Quirinal Hill. As well as being the presidential residence, the Quirinal Palace has also been home to popes and royalty in the past. It was built in 1573 by Pope Gregory XIII as a papal summer residence and then hosted papal conclaves four times between 1823 and 1846. The palace was then the headquarters of office for the Papal States until they were overthrown in 1970. When Rome became the capital of the new Kingdom of Italy in 1971, the palace became the royal residence. When the monarchy was disbanded in 1946, the Quirinal Palace then became the residence of the president. There are several works by famous architects at the palace – include Fontana's façade, Maderno's Great Chapel and the frescoes of Guido Reni and Melozzo da Forlì.
