ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Palazzo Venezia opens restoration sites of Renaissance halls to public for free guided tours

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-18

Palazzo Venezia in Rome is offering free guided tours of its monumental Renaissance halls under restoration, as part of the VIVE Cantiere Aperto project. The tours take place on three dates: May 23, June 6, and June 20, 2026. Visitors can explore the Loggia Grande, Sala del Mappamondo, and Sala delle Battaglie from scaffolding, guided by restorers and art historians. The halls, built after Cardinal Pietro Barbo became Pope Paul II in 1464, have served as embassy for the Republic of Venice (1564), Austro-Hungarian Empire (1797), and as Mussolini's government headquarters (1922). After restoration, they will house a new permanent exhibition by Michele De Lucchi titled "Fatto in Italia," showcasing Italian artistic and craft traditions from the Middle Ages to contemporary Made in Italy. The tours are limited to 15 people per slot at 10:00 and 11:30, lasting 45 minutes, with mandatory online booking opening three days before each visit. Access is from Via del Plebiscito 118.

Key facts

  • Free guided tours of restoration sites at Palazzo Venezia on May 23, June 6, and June 20, 2026.
  • Tours cover Loggia Grande, Sala del Mappamondo, and Sala delle Battaglie.
  • Visitors are guided on scaffolding by restorers and art historians.
  • Halls were built after 1464 for Pope Paul II (Cardinal Pietro Barbo).
  • Served as embassy for Republic of Venice (1564) and Austro-Hungarian Empire (1797).
  • Used by Benito Mussolini as government headquarters from 1922.
  • Future permanent exhibition 'Fatto in Italia' designed by Michele De Lucchi.
  • Tours limited to 15 people per slot at 10:00 and 11:30, 45 minutes each.

Entities

Artists

  • Michele De Lucchi
  • Federico Hermanin
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  • Gioachino Rossini
  • Paolo III Farnese
  • Carlo V
  • Benito Mussolini
  • Pietro Barbo

Institutions

  • Palazzo Venezia
  • VIVE
  • Vittoriano
  • Museo del Medioevo e del Rinascimento
  • Repubblica di Venezia
  • Austria-Ungheria

Locations

  • Roma
  • Italy
  • Via del Plebiscito 118
  • Rome

Sources