Massimiliano Palombara


Massimiliano Palombara was marquis of Pietraforte and Conservator of Rome between 1651 and 1677. He is the author of the La Bugia, a book of verses, written in 1656 in Rome. He built the Villa Palombara which included five gates with occult inscriptions including the still-standing Porta Alchemica.
According to historians, his interest in the occult, Kabbalah and mysticism brought him into contact with Cardinal Decio Azzolino and his confidant, Queen Christina of Sweden.