The present palace was commissioned in the 15th century by Alessandro Sforza, and held by the Della Rovere family till 1631.
Duke Francesco Maria I Della Rovere in 1523-1532, commissioned restorations from Girolamo Genga.
Girolamo's son, Bartolomeo, added a wing, designed by Filippo Terzi along via Barignani.
With the entry of the Papal States to the Kingdom of Italy, the palace next hosted the Prefecture.
From 1920 to 1936, it housed the Civic Museum till this moved to the Palazzo Toschi Mosca.