Palazzo del Commendatore, Rome

This majestic palazzo, three storeys high, has such an unusual name because it was the residence of the Knight of Santo Spirito, the person whose role was to direct the hospital of the same name. It is not possible to visit the interior of the building, but the courtyard is open to the public and is worth seeing. Built in the 16th century, it is square with a portico in travertine columns. The lovely clock, in the shape of a cardinal's hat, has just one hand in the form of a salamander, and the face is divided into six segments with Roman numerals. A fountain with a dragon and an eagle, symbol of the Borghese family, bears an inscription that explains that it was transferred here from Piazza San Pietro when the colonnade was built. Along the walls, a series of frescoes depicts the history of the foundation of the Santo Spirito hospital.