Visit the centre of modern Italian politics, Palazzo di Montecitorio!

The original 16th-century design by Bernini was brought back to life by a talented Italian architect Carlo Fontana a hundred years after its inception. Palazzo di Montecitorio became Rome’s first  “decent” building, erected in accordance with anti-nepotism policies to serve the public at first as the site for the Papal law courts and later as the city administration. With the Unification of Italy in 1861 and the subsequent transfer of the capital to Rome, Montecitorio was chosen as the seat of the Chamber of Deputies, which it is still today.

In order to suit its new role, the Montecitorio needed some modification, which Ernesto Basile was made responsible for. An exponent of Art nouveau, he added the so-called Transatlantico, the long and impressive salon which surrounds the debating chamber and now acts as the informal centre of Italian politics. Other Art Nouveau features include an impressive canopy of coloured glass, the pictorial frieze entitled The Italian People by Sartorio and the bronze figures flanking the presidential and government benches.

Palazzo di Montecitorio

Piazza di Monte Citorio, 00186 Rome