Palazzo Venezia

Lonely Planet review

Palazzo Venezia was the first of Rome's great Renaissance palaces. It was built between 1455 and 1464 for the Venetian cardinal Pietro Barbo, who later became Pope Paul II (r 1464-71), and was used for centuries as the embassy of the Venetian Republic. Its most famous resident, however, was Mussolini, who made speeches from the balcony and kept the lights on throughout the night to give the impression he was working.

Nowadays, the palazzo houses the Museo del Palazzo Venezia (06 699 94 318; Via del Plebiscito 118), with its superb Byzantine and early Renaissance paintings and eclectic collection of jewellery, tapestries, ceramics, bronze figurines, arms and armour. Highlights include the early-15th-century Madonna con Bambino Angeli e Santi (Madonna with Child, Angels and Saints) by Mariotto di Cristofano and the charming Ritratto dei Figli di Virginio Orsini, a 16th-century portrait (artist unknown) of the five sons of the Orsini family.

You can also admire the palazzo's secret gardens from the top floor of a loggia decorated with sculptural fragments, sarcophagi and assorted archaeological finds.

The eastern wing of the museum - where you'll find Mussolini's old office - is often given over to temporary art exhibitions.