PALAZZO VENEZIA
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Palazzo Venezia was the residence of the popes, then the seat of the Venetian embassy until 1797.
Like most Roman palaces, Palazzo Venezia was originally the residence of a cardinal who became pope. His name was Pietro Barbo, who became Paul II in 1464. It was first the residence of popes, then the seat of the Venetian embassy until 1797. When Venice became Austrian under the Treaty of Campoformio and Bonaparte's will, Austria established its embassy here until the declaration of war in 1916. Mussolini later set up his office here, and the palace became the symbol of Fascist power. It was from the balcony overlooking the square that the duce addressed his famous harangues to the "oceanic crowds" who had come to cheer him. It was said that the light in the dictator's office was kept on all night to show how hard the duce worked for the country. The exterior of the palace is austere and sober. The interior, in particular the courtyard and portico, are fine examples of Renaissance architecture. The rooms we visit are of vast proportions: you could almost get lost in them! On display are tapestries, panoplies and important works by Bernini(Angelo col cartiglio and Memoria a suor Maria Raggi), Pisano, Guercino and Vasari. It also houses the library of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History. Interesting temporary exhibitions are organized throughout the year at Palazzo Venezia (until April 25, 2025, an exhibition dedicated to Guglielmo Marconi, considered one of the inventors of radio, in particular).
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