The Michelin Guide's review
The presidential palace since the fall of the monarchy after the Second World War, Palazzo Quirinale was originally built as a papal summer palace. Begun by Martino Longhi the Elder in 1583 under Pope Gregory XIII, work was continued (by Mascherino and Fontana among others) under Sixtus V, Paul V (Carlo Maderno built the monumental gateway), Alexander VII (Bernini) and finally Clement XII (Ferdinando Fuga).