Piazza Colonna

Welcome to Piazza Colonna, one of the most significant and centrally located squares in Rome. We are standing in the heart of the Colonna district, which takes its name from the magnificent ancient column that dominates this…

The centerpiece of the square is the Column of Marcus Aurelius, a stunning commemorative monument erected between 176 and 192 of the Common Era. It was built to celebrate the military victories of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius over…

To truly appreciate the Column of Marcus Aurelius, we must look closely at the narrative reliefs that encircle it. These carvings are a primary source for our understanding of Roman military life and their perception of the…

On the north side of the square stands the Palazzo Chigi, an imposing building that has been the center of Italian government since 1961. The history of the palace begins in 1578, when the Al-do-bran-di-ni family began…

In the shadow of the column, we find a beautiful sixteenth-century fountain that adds a sense of grace and movement to the square. It was designed by the architect Giacomo Della Porta in 1577, commissioned by Pope Gregory the…

To the west of the square sits the Palazzo Wedekind, a building with a fascinating architectural history. It stands on the site where the Temple of Marcus Aurelius was believed to have been located in antiquity. …

Just a short walk from the main square, we encounter the Obelisk of Montecitorio, an ancient Egyptian monument with a remarkable story. Standing thirty meters tall, this obelisk was originally created during the reign of Pharaoh…

As we conclude our time in Piazza Colonna, we are left with a profound sense of how history layer upon layer has shaped this space. From the soaring spiral of the Column of Marcus Aurelius, which captures the struggles of an…