Hotelrome.net Blog : A guide to news and events in Rome

 

The Italian politics and Italian politicians seem to be constantly in the center of the attention – maybe because the Italians themselves love politics so much. They even, or especially, talk about it while having dinner, which the rest of the world tends to avoid, simply not to spoil their appetite. Therefore the government buildings of Rome, where it all happens, are definitely worth seeing.

 

The Italian president resides in the Quirinale Palace on the Quirinale-hill, the highest of the famous seven hills on which the ancient Rome was born. The palace itself is a magnificent 16^th century construction which used to belong to the pope and has been used by the president since 1948. The reception rooms of the Palace are open to the public on Sundays, from 8.30 to 12.30. And you shouldn’t miss the changing of the Guard of Honour, the favorite show of little boys and young women, every Sunday afternoon!

The Senate of the Republic operates in Palazzo Madama stands on the spot occupied once by emperor Nero’s baths, between the Pantheon and Navona Square.The oldest part of the building was constructed as early as 15th century  and it was already in govermental use in the end of the 18th century, long before the birth of the Italian national state in the modern meaning. The building is open for guided tours on the first Saturday of each month.

The liveliest center of the political life of Rome is the Palazzo Montecitorio, where the italian “MP”s work: it is the site of the chamber of deputies, often the destination of various processions and manifestations. The original building, much smaller than the current palace, is of the 16th Century, but in the mid-17th century a whole new facade was commissioned of the famous sculptor Bernini to join together a few adjacent buildings, even though these plans were never carried through according to Bernini’s design. The building, on Piazza di Montecitorio, was chosen to be the seat of the Chamber of deputies (Camera dei deputati) right from the beginning, from the unification of the Italian State in 1870. Guided tours are organised on the first Sunday of each month from 10.00 a, to 6.00 pm.

Around the corner from Palazzo Montecitorio, there’s the Palazzo Chigi on Piazza Colonna (practically on the main shopping street Via del Corso, but the way, should you want to end your tour with something slightly more fun…). This 18th century building is where the Council of Ministers resides. Palazzo Ghigi is not open to the public.

Last, but not least, is the massive bulding of the Constitutional Court, Palazzo della Consulta, on the slope of the Quirinal hill.This 16th century building was chosen to be the seat of the Constitutional Court in the 1955, and has been subject to a series of renovations since then. It is only open for touring on special occasions. The court hearings, however, are public and open for anyone to attend.

 

To book a hotel well connected with all of the abowe destinations see this site for your accomodation in Rome!