Palazzo Venezia is located just off Piazza Venezia, in the heart of Rome. It is a Renaissance style mansion that features art objects dating from the beginning of the Commor Era to the early Renaissance. Built during the fifteenth century as a residence for Cardinal Pietro Barbo, the Renaissance building of Palazzo Venezia later became the papal residence and the Embassy of the Republic of Venice. In 1797 it fell into French hands, but in 1916 it became property of the Italian state. It was converted into Mussolini’s headquarters during the Fascist era.
The museum mainly displays the collections of Pope Paul II (Pietro Barbo), the first pope to inhabit the building. There are also works of art from Castel Sant’Angelo, the museum of the Collegio Romano or the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica. In the palace you can find many different items, from Renaissance paintings to polychromatic wood sculptures, tapestries, weapons, armour, and terracotta sculptures. Palazzo Venezia might be good to leave for a second visit.
Exhibition in the Palazzo di Venezia 2See photo gallery
Next to Piazza Venezia
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 1pm and from 2pm – 6pm Sunday: closed
Buses: 40, 63, 70, 75, 81, 87, 95, 160, 170, 204, 628, 630 and 716.
You may also be interested in:
The Museo di Roma, housed in the Palazzo Braschi, is devoted to the local history, culture and art of Rome from the Middle Ages until the twentieth century.
The Galleria Spada displays a collection of art from the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Don’t miss visiting the forced perspective gallery by Francesco Borromini.