Palazzo Venezia

Overview

Occupying an massive chunk of the chaotic Piazza Venezia, Palazzo Venezia is a imposing, fortified Renaissance palace. While it notably lacks the sweeping grace of other Roman palaces, its massive historical presence in the 20th century is undeniable.

Highlights

• Mussolini's Balcony: the most infamous feature is the tiny, unadorned stone balcony positioned over the main door. This is where Benito Mussolini stood to viciously declare massive wars and whip massive crowds of thousands into fascist frenzies in the 1930s.
• The Architecture: Built in 1455, it is crucial as one of the earliest major Renaissance buildings in Rome, utilizing massive travertine blocks ripped from the Colosseum.
• The Courtyard: Step inside to escape the massive, chaotic traffic circle and find a shockingly quiet, refined interior Renaissance courtyard featuring a large garden.

History

Originally built as a defensive, massive residential palace for the powerful Venetian Cardinal Pietro Barbo (later Pope Paul II). It served as the prestigious Embassy of the Republic of Venice for centuries. In 1929, Mussolini seized the massive building, making the magnificent "Sala del Mappamondo" (the vast Globe Room) his absolute personal, imposing office space for the terrifying duration of the fascist regime.

Visitor Tips

• The Museum: The interior currently houses the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo Venezia, featuring a eclectic, impressive collection of massive Renaissance tapestries, medieval weapons, and fine ceramics.
• The Scale: Focus on the sheer, towering, unadorned massiveness of the brick walls—it was designed primarily to act as a intimidating fortress, not an elegant home.