The Bees of Palazzo Barberini: Where to Find Them and What They Represent

If you happen to walk past Palazzo Barberini, stop for a moment and observe the details of its facade. You will notice a recurring symbol: bees. But what do these insects have to do with one of Rome’s most important palaces?

Bees were the emblem of the Barberini family, one of the most powerful houses in Baroque Rome. This is not a random choice: this small insect represents industriousness, dedication, and harmony, values that the Barberinis wanted to associate with their image.

Today, when you visit Palazzo Barberini, you can discover bees in many architectural and decorative details, but not only: thanks to the Regina Apium project, 100,000 real bees live in the palace’s garden, contributing to urban biodiversity.

The Barberini family and the bee coat of arms

Barberini coat of arms in the church of St. Cosmas and Damian in Rome – ID 113435022 @ E55evu | Dreamstime.com

The Barberinis were not only one of the most influential families in Rome, but also among the most image-conscious. And what better way to leave your mark than with a strong and recognizable symbol?

In the beginning, their surname was not Barberini, but Tafani. A name that, for a family destined for power, did not sound noble enough. So they decided to change it, inspired by the town of origin, Barberino Val d’Elsa. With the new name also came a new coat of arms: the troublesome horseflies were replaced by three golden bees, more elegant and loaded with meaning.

Why the bees?

Thebee is not only an insect, but a symbol of tireless work, discipline and productivity. It was perfect for representing family ambition and power. But not only that: in the Christian world, the beehive is seen as a model of harmonious society, just like the Church and the papacy. This was a clear message for anyone looking at the Barberini coat of arms: their dynasty was not only powerful, but also guided by deep values.

You will find this emblem everywhere in the palaces, churches, and works financed by the Barberinis. Palazzo Barberini is no exception: bees are carved, painted and included in so many architectural details. A perfect treasure hunt for the curious!

Bees in the works of Palazzo Barberini

Palazzo Barberini is not only a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, but also a kind of open-air museum of bees. Everywhere you look, you’ll find the symbol of the Barberini family: carved into the ceilings, sculpted in marble and hidden among the frescoes.

Where to find bees inside the palace

Three bees painted by Bernini on the “Triondo della divina Provvidenza” fresco – Photo by Wikipedia

As soon as you enter the palace, look up: in the main hall, designed by Pietro da Cortona, bees appear among the decorations of the spectacular frescoed vault (if you want to find out more about this incredible fresco, we talked about it in detail in this article). Here, the artist transformed the ceiling into a Baroque triumph, an exaltation of the grandeur of the Barberini family, with allegorical figures and symbolic details, including the ever-present bees.

But it doesn’t end there: as you continue your visit, you will find bees carved into monumental fireplaces, on door frames, and even in the details of antique furniture. In short, a true family trademark.

The role of Bernini and the other artists

Barberini coat of arms at the entrance to Palazzo Barberini – Photo by Progettostoriadellarte

One of the most important artists associated with the Barberini was Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Although his name is often associated with the great squares and fountains of Rome, his style influenced many elements of Palazzo Barberini. In fact, the bee motif also appears in his works, as we will see later.

In addition to Bernini, the palace houses works by Caravaggio, Raphael, Tintoretto and many other masters of Italian art. A unique opportunity to admire the masterpieces of the period and, at the same time, discover all the hidden details dedicated to bees.

If you would like to see these incredible works in person and try your hand at bee hunting among the frescoes and sculptures, check out the ticket page to arrange your visit.

The symbolism of bees in art and religion

Bees were not only a symbol of the Barberini family; they had a deep meaning rooted inart, religion, and mythology. Their presence in the decorations of Palazzo Barberini was not accidental: behind these little creatures lies a world of symbols and references.

Bees in mythology

Bees have been revered since ancient times. In Greek mythology, it is said that Zeus, the king of the gods, as a child was fed precisely honey by a swarm of sacred bees. Because of this, one of his epithets was Melisseus, which means “protected by bees.”

In ancient Egypt, the bee was a symbol of the pharaoh, while for the Romans it was linked to wisdom and purity. This symbolic value survived over the centuries, reaching all the way to the Christian world.

The link between bees and religion

In the Christian tradition, the bee represents industriousness, harmony and dedication. Two important saints, Saint Ambrose and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, were often associated with this symbol. According to legend, when Saint Ambrose was still in swaddling clothes, a swarm of bees entered his mouth without harming him, a sign of his future eloquence and wisdom.

The Church, too, was often compared to a beehive, with the faithful represented as hardworking bees, united in faith. Honey, on the other hand, was considered the sweetness of the divine word.

Why did the Barberini choose this symbol?

When Urban VIII Barberini became pope, he adopted bees as the official emblem of his family, exploiting their strong symbolic value. This small insect conveyed a clear message: the Barberinis were a hardworking, powerful and devout family, perfectly in line with the ideal of a strong and organized Church.

It is no accident, then, that their coat of arms appears everywhere in Rome, especially in works financed by the pope. Palazzo Barberini is just one of the many places where bees feature prominently.

The Regina Apium Project

Three bees painted by Bernini on the “Triondo della divina Provvidenza” fresco – Photo by Wikipedia

Palazzo Barberini ‘s bees are not only painted or sculpted: today the palace garden is home to 100,000 real bees, thanks to the Regina Apium project. An initiative created to enhance the historical link between the Barberini family and bees, but also to make a concrete contribution to urban biodiversity.

A green oasis in the heart of Rome

Perhaps not everyone knows this, but Palazzo Barberini is not just art and frescoes: behind the palace is a historic garden, a quiet green space little known to visitors. And it is precisely here that, since 2021, two hives with tame Italian bees have been installed in a protected and controlled area.

The project was carried out by the FAI Delegation of Rome, with the support of Roma Capitale and the collaboration of the beekeepers of St. Paul’s Abbey, who take care of the bees and monitor the hives.

Why a beehive in the city?

In addition to celebrating the Barberini’s history, this project has a very concrete goal: to monitor air quality and promote the protection of pollinating insects. Bees, in fact, are true sentinels of the environment: by analyzing the honey and wax produced in the hives, important data on the healthiness of the air in Rome can be obtained.In addition, this project is an opportunity to raise awareness of the role of bees and their impact on biodiversity, an increasingly topical and urgent issue.

Conclusion

The bees of Palazzo Barberini are more than just a decorative detail. They are the symbol of a powerful family, of an era of great artistic and cultural ferment, and today also of a project that looks to the future.

From the vaults frescoed by Pietro da Cortona to the details hidden in the sculptures, to the beehives in the garden, bees continue to take center stage in this extraordinary place. An invisible thread that binds past and present, reminding us how much history and nature can coexist in harmony.

If you want to discover Palazzo Barberini in person, immerse yourself in its masterpieces and find all the bees scattered among the works of art and rooms of the palace, book your ticket online.