Piazza del Quirinale
P.za del Quirinale Roma Roma
Quirinale Palace—Where Popes, Kings, and Presidents Have Walked
Open Daily | Photos
The Palazzo del Quirinale stands as a monument to Italy’s evolving history, once serving as a summer residence for popes from the 16th to the 18th century, later becoming the royal palace of the Kings of Italy, and today, the official residence of the President of the Republic.
Overlooking Piazza del Quirinale, the palace embodies both papal grandeur and national identity. At its center rises an Egyptian obelisk, originally part of the Temple of Serapis, commissioned by Emperor Caracalla in 217 AD. Surrounding it stands the Dioscuri group, an imposing set of statues depicting Castor and Pollux, the twin brothers of myth, each taming a rearing horse. This sculptural ensemble, a nod to Rome’s classical heritage, adds to the piazza’s commanding presence.
Today, the Quirinale Palace remains a symbolic heart of the Italian Republic, its halls witnessing the shifts of power and governance through the centuries.
Recommended Nearby:
Church of Santa Maria dell'Archetto
See Also:
Trevi Fountain and Best of the Neighborhood - Walking Tour
Trevi is one of 23 Rioni in Rome and takes its name after the Latin word Trivium, meaning "Three Streets". During the time of ancient Rome, the zone was known for its monumental buildings and private palaces. When Napolean occupied Rome in the early 19th Century, Quirinal Hill in this neighborhood became the center of power in the city.
Today, it is famous for the Trevi Fountain, Madonelle that mark street corners, and various baroque churches.
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