Palazzo Venezia
Once the Venetian embassy, later Mussolini's office, with one of the twentieth century's most famous balconies — a museum today.
Zavijavah — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chris Sampson — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Sjaak Kempe from Groningen, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · CAPTAIN RAJU — CC BY-SA 4.0
Rome's largest junction and the knot where every central road meets: Via dei Fori Imperiali runs from here to the Colosseum, Via del Corso north to Piazza del Popolo, and the Trastevere road west. Lose your bearings anywhere in Rome and coming back to this square resets your mental map. It is dominated by the vast white marble Victor Emmanuel II monument, and beside it stands Palazzo Venezia, which gave the square its name — a fifteenth-century building that served as the Venetian embassy and later as Mussolini's office, from whose balcony he made his famous speeches. It is now a museum of medieval and Renaissance art. The square itself is free and open, but it is a traffic hub, loud, and not a place to linger. Treat it as a crossing point — and as one of Rome's finest sights after dark, when the monument is fully lit.
Once the Venetian embassy, later Mussolini's office, with one of the twentieth century's most famous balconies — a museum today.
Three complete walking routes begin here: to the Colosseum, to Piazza del Popolo, and to Trastevere.
Piazza Venezia, Rome
Palazzo VeneziaRome's first great Renaissance palace — and the most famous balcony in modern It1 minute walk4.6
Altare della PatriaThe vast white marble mass you cannot miss in central Rome: the monument to Vict2 minutes walk4.7
Trajan's ColumnA thirty-metre marble column raised in AD 113, wrapped in a carved frieze that w2 minutes walk4.9
The Roman Domus of Palazzo ValentiniBeneath Rome's provincial palace, steps from the Vittoriano, sleep two Roman vil2 minutes walk4.6
Piazza d'AracoeliA small square at the foot of the Capitoline Hill in Rome, where two famous stai2 minutes walk4.5Looking for halal food near Piazza Venezia? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
Hotel BaroccoA four-star hotel looking directly onto Piazza Barberini and Bernini's Triton Fo12 minutes walk · $$$$4.9The St. Regis RomeRome's oldest grand hotel and its most historic: opened in January 1894 as the G17 minutes walk · $$$$4.8No — you will cross it several times anyway. Spend your time on the monument itself and its panoramic lift instead.