Piazza Colonna

Centro Storico


Together with the adjacent Piazza di Montecitorio, this stylish piazza is Rome’s political nerve centre. On its northern flank, the 16th-century Palazzo Chigi has been the official residence of Italy’s prime minister since 1961. In the centre, the 30m-high Colonna di Marco Aurelio was completed in AD 193 to honour Marcus Aurelius’ military victories.

The column's vivid reliefs depict scenes from battles against the Germanic tribes (169–173) and, further up, the Sarmatians (174–176). In 1589 the emperor was replaced on the top of the column by a bronze statue of St Paul.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Centro Storico attractions

1. Colonna di Marco Aurelio

0.01 MILES

Towering over Piazza Colonna, the 30m-high Colonna di Marco Aurelio was completed in AD 193 to honour Marcus Aurelius’ military victories. Its vivid…

2. Palazzo Chigi

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Located on the northern flank of Piazza Colonna, the 16th-century Palazzo Chigi has been the official residence of Italy’s prime minister since 1961…

3. Palazzo di Montecitorio

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Home to Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, this baroque palazzo was built by Bernini in 1653, expanded by Carlo Fontana in the late 17th century, and given an…

4. Obelisk

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The emperor Augustus had this 6th-century-BC obelisk brought from Heliopolis in Egypt to celebrate his victory over Cleopatra and Mark Antony in 30 BC…

5. Piazza di Pietra

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This charming piazza, surrounded by popular bars and cafes, is overlooked by 11 huge Corinthian columns – all that's left of the 2nd-century Tempio di…

6. Tempio di Adriano

0.09 MILES

Eleven huge Corinthian columns are all that's left of the 2nd-century Tempio di Adriano. The temple formerly housed Rome’s stock exchange and is now used…

7. Galleria Sciarra

0.12 MILES

Meander west from Trevi Fountain, along pedestrian Via delle Muratte, and duck a block south to this magnificent art nouveau courtyard, hidden away on Via…

8. Piazza di Sant’Ignazio Loyola

0.12 MILES

Laid out in 1727 to resemble a theatrical set, complete with exits into ‘the wings’, this exquisite rococo piazza is home to the 17th-century Chiesa di…