Advent Calendar: Roman Door 18

Door of the Quirinale Palace, home to the President of Italy. It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries as a summer residence for the popes, and was occupied after 1870 by Italian kings. In 1946 the Palace became the official residence and workplace for the Presidents of the Italian Republic. Many architects have participated in the construction of the palace. The portal was designed by Carlo Maderno, and above it is a window and balcony by Bernin, once used for papal blessings. In the piazza in front of the palace is a huge Graeco-Roman statuary group of two muscular horse tamers.

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

"[...] but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins." Isaiah 11:4-5
"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler, the Lord is our king; he will save us." Isaiah 33:22

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At Saint Benedict Abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire), the "O Antiphons" were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community.

The Quirinale Palace and Stables

The Quirinale Palace was built in 1573 by Pope Gregory XIII as a papal summer residence. It served as a papal residence and housed the central offices responsible for the civil government of the Papal States until 1870. Today it is the residence of the President if Italy. 

The stables for the palace are across the piazza and were built between 1722 and 1732. In 1999 they were converted into a gallery called The Scuderie del Quirinale.
This is the passage from the entrance to the upper level for the galleries. It is a ramp, built to allow horses to get to the upstairs stalls.

Situated on the highest of Rome's seven hills, there are great views from the Scuderie del Quirinale. After visiting an exhibition you can pause at the window near the elevator and enjoy the Roman skyline.