Palazzo Venezia

Palazzo Venezia Review

Centerpiece of Palazzo Venezia, this palace was originally built for Venetian cardinal Pietro Barbo, who became Pope Paul II. It was also the backdrop used by Mussolini to harangue crowds with dreams of empire from the balcony over the main portal. Lights were also left on through the night during his reign to suggest that the Fascist leader worked without pause. The palace shows a mixture of Renaissance grace and heavy medieval lines, and today houses an eclectic collection of decorative objects, paintings, sculptures, and ceramics in handsome salons. Important temporary exhibitions are also often held here. The caffè on the loggia has a pleasant view over the garden courtyard.