Today the home of Italy’s Senate, the Palazzo Madama was originally built at the beginning of the 16th century as the Roman residence of the Medici family. Upon the death of Pope Clement VII (Giulio de’ Medici), the building passed to his “nephew” Alessandro de’ Medici, who, in 1532,officially became the first duke of Florence. When Alessandro died in 1537, the palace was left to his wife, Margaret of Austria, who was known as “Madama,” from which the palace gained its current name. Buona visita!