Palazzo Venezia

Former home of famous and infamous figures from Italy's history

Noteworthy for: Benito Mussolini declared war on France and the United Kingdom from his balcony in the Palazzo Venezia.
Built by Pope Paul II, Palazzo Venezia was the first of Rome's great Renaissance palaces and sits in the geographic heart of the city. Over the years this imposing building has housed a number of well-known residents, the most famous being Benito Mussolini. The former Prime Minister used the Papal suite as his office and stood on the balcony that faces Piazza Venezia to speak to the people of Italy. The suite has now been remodelled to look like it did in Il Duce's day.

Today Palazzo Venezia holds the National Museum of Palazzo Venezia containing ivories, tapestries, ceramics, paintings attributed to Renaissance masters, weapons, textiles and marble sculptures.