Best Places to Visit in Rome, Italy

Piazza Venezia

The Piazza Venezia is another of Rome's well-known squares, although in this case, its reputation is based on its central position in the city's transport system. The Piazza stands between the Capitoline Hill, the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum on one side with the Pantheon, several noted piazzas and the Vatican to the other side. Cross with caution, as the Piazza is a dangerous place for pedestrians.

The Palazzo Venezia, (the building with the hallmark tower to the left in the photo above) is now a museum featuring art from the Renaissance and is the highlight of the Piazza.  Originally built for a cardinal who then became pope, the building has served as a ministry for several governments including the Venetian Republic, as well as Austria. In addition, the Palazzo served as Mussolini's office during Italy's fascist period leading up to and including World War II. Mussolini wanted to see the Colosseum from his office and destroyed parts of the Forums to create the Via dei Fori Imperiali and provide the desired view.

The Piazza Venezia is dominated by the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, who in 1861 unified Italy into the modern nation state that we know today. To the right of the monument is the Cordonatta, the ancient stairs leading to the Piazza Campidoglio and the Capitoline Hill.