Many walking tours of Rome’s highlights pass through Piazza di Monte Citorio to see Palazzo Montecitorio’s impressive baroque facade, along with nearby attractions such as the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. Specialized tours focusing on Rome’s baroque monuments and works by Bernini also generally include a stop at Palazzo Montecitorio. The palace was originally built to house the Pontifical Curia, and it served a variety of functions over the centuries before becoming the seat of the Chamber of Deputies after the unification of Italy and the transfer of the capital to Rome in 1870.
Those interested in viewing the palazzo’s beautiful art nouveau interiors, completely reworked by Ernesto Basile in the early 1900s, can join a Montecitorio a Porte Aperte tour, usually held the first Sunday of the month. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance, and tours are led by Chamber of Deputies staff members in Italian.
Walking tours of Rome’s top attractions are largely outdoors and require significant time on your feet, so wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.
Visitors can only view Palazzo Montecitorio from outside unless joining a guided Chamber of Deputies tour the first Sunday of the month.
Palazzo Montecitorio is especially interesting for architecture enthusiasts.
The outdoor piazza is accessible to wheelchair users; the interiors are partially accessible so confirm ahead of time if joining a Montecitorio a Porte Aperte tour.
Palazzo Montecitorio is located on Piazza di Monte Citorio, between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. The nearest transportation hub is Piazza Barberini, where metro line A and several buses stop.
Palazzo Montecitorio is only open to the public for guided tours the first Sunday of the month. To see the palace from the outside, stroll through Piazza di Monte Citorio in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are milder, or at night when the palace is lit.
Palazzo Montecitorio was completely reworked in the art nouveau style in the early 20th century, but the exterior baroque facade with its clock tower, carved window sills, and grand balconied entrance designed by Bernini remain untouched. The redesigned interiors feature the main chamber and the Transatlantico, a long salon that’s considered the informal center of Italian politics.
