Piazza Venezia

Piazza Venezia or Venice Square is a square in Rome located where four major roads meet. These roads are the Via del Corso, Via del Plebiscito, Via di Teatre Marcello and Via dei Fori Imperiali. Through these four roads, Piazza Venezia is also known for its chaotic traffic.

Piazza Venezia is located at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. It owes its name to Palazzo Venezia.

Palazzo Venezia building was commissioned by Pietro Barbo, who later became Pope Paul II. The building was designed by the architect Francesco del Borgo. He started its construction in 1455.

Then Palazzo Venezia has served as Embassy of the Republic of Venice, and was used by the Austrian ambassador. The Italian government took over the palace during the First World War. Today Palazzo Venezia is a museum of Medieval and Renaissance art, Museo di Palazzo.

This monument was erected to the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. It is also called Altare della Patria (Altar of the fatherland.)

The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi and was built between 1895 and 1911. Inside the museum there is a collection of works regarding the unification of Italy.

Palazzo Bonaparte was built in 1666 for the family d’Aste. The building was occupied by several families. A well-known resident was the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte, Maria Laetitia Ramolino. Her half brother arranged this house for her when she was expelled from France. Palazzo Bonaparte was named after her.

Basilica San Marco is one of the oldest basilicas of Rome. It was built in 336 AD. There have been various remodeling works in Basilica San Marco and the largest was in the ninth century. In 1451 the basilica was part of Palazzo Venezia

This basilica is actually located on the San Marco square. But since this little square is surrounded on all sides by Piazza Venezia, you can also see it as a part of this square.

Madame Lucrezia is a bust which stands at the Basilica San Marco. It was placed there by Cardinal Lorenzo Cybo in 1500. At that time he was the Cardinal of San Marco.

The sculpture represents the Egyptian goddess Isis and is probably derived from a Isis temple.

Madame Lucrezia is also known as one of the most striking images. At the time when the popes were in power in Rome, people started to write and stick several slogans on the image to express their dissatisfaction.