The building, constructed at the end of the 17th century, is the typical example of late Mannerism. It represents the most important example of the artistic activity in Rome in the 19th century of the so called Nazarenes, the German painters who sought inspiration in Italian painters of the early Renaissance. The building’s facades are enriched with ancient sculptures and stucco decorations depicting the eagle of the Giustiniani family and the doves of the Pamphilj family. The rooms are frescoed with scenes based on the major poems of Italian literature: Orlando furioso (Orlando Enraged) by Ariosto, Gerusalemme liberata (Jerusalem Delivered) by Tasso, and the Comedy by Dante.
Since 1984 the building is the seat of the delegation of Franciscans of the Holy land.