Fodor's Expert Review Palazzo Bonaparte

First designed by Giovanni Antonio De' Rossi for the Marquis of Aste in the 17th century, this Renaissance palace is better known as the home of Letizia Bonaparte, who purchased the elegant building in 1818. Napoleon's mother, who lived here until her death in 1836, was fond of sitting on the curious covered green balcony that wraps around a corner of the first floor. The stately home overlooks the Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia, as well as the nonstop motion of Rome's busiest piazza. After years of restoration, Palazzo Bonaparte is now open for temporary exhibits and has recently hosted shows full of masterpieces gathered from around the world dedicated to the Impressionists and Vincent Van Gogh, among others.