The Quirinal Square and Palace

Situated on the Quirinal Hill, the highest in Rome, Piazza del Quirinale offers a superb view over the city and is home to a fine ensemble of prestigious buildings.

The Quirinal Hill was already occupied by a residential district in Roman times.

At the end of the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII chose this cool, green site to build the popes’ summer palace. The palace was not finished until the 1730s; the greatest Baroque architects worked on it (Bernini, Fontana, Maderno…).

Getting there: Barberini metro station or one of the many bus lines nearby (60, 64, 70, 71, 175, 492…)

Address: Piazza del Quirinale

Ticket prices: free.

The Quirinal Palace later became the residence of the Kings of Italy when Rome became the capital in 1871. Today the Quirinal Palace is the official residence of the President of the Republic, and you may have the chance to watch the changing of the guard.

Around the square you will find other Baroque buildings: the Palazzo della Consulta, which today houses the Constitutional Court, the Palazzo Pallavicini-Rospigliosi, and the former stables, which host high-quality temporary exhibitions.

The square is adorned with a very fine fountain whose present form is the result of many alterations.

Originally, Pope Sixtus V had the two ancient statues of Castor and Pollux holding rearing horses, the Dioscuri, erected. These statues probably come from the Baths of Constantine.

In 1783, Pope Pius VI had an obelisk added, from the Mausoleum of Augustus (the second obelisk had been placed behind Santa Maria Maggiore).

The last addition, the granite basin, was made by Pius VII in 1818.

From the square you have a fine view over the rooftops of the city and you can admire the dome of St Peter’s in the distance.