The ducal palace of the Santacroce family, one of Rome's oldest, most prestigious and distinguished bloodlines, was built between 1729 and 1730 along the walls of San Gemini, on the site where we now find Porta Romana, the impressive archway built by the Santacroce family to underline their dominion. Above the entrance door to the “civitas ducalis Sancti Gemini”, now reinterpreted as a triumphal arch, is the coat of arms and inscription dedicated to the noble Santacroce family. The building's sumptuous elegance perfectly embodies the architecture of 18th-century noblemen's palaces. The 'castle' effect is further accented by the corner towers, reminiscent of turrets on a fortress, although their purpose now is purely symbolic. The window cornices on the upper floor, which stretches along the southern side and includes an englobed round tower, are crowned with decorative reverse scroll pediments. Outside, the large garden, now public, is overlooked by the building's elegant double balcony which complements the visuals of this aristocratic residence.