Palazzo Venezia

The original structure of this great architectural complex consisted of a modest medieval house intended as the residence of the cardinals appointed as the titular holders of the Basilica of Saint Mark.

On its west side it adjoins the ancient Basilica of San Marco, which is aligned south to north, founded by Pope Marcus in 336 and dedicated to the Evangelist who would become protector of Venice, completely rebuilt in 833, and which underwent frequent reconstructions since then.

[3] Between 1466-9[4] Pope Paul II added at the south-east corner a large square three storied cloister enclosing a garden, which structure was known as the "Viridarium ("Green Area" / pleasure-garden) or "Palazzetto ("Little Palace").

[5] This structure was demolished in 1910 and rebuilt on a similar scale and reusing many original materials, 100 metres to the west to fit in with the construction of the massive new Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II scheduled for completion in 1911.

"The pope received Charles V with all honours”[8] and the meeting concluded successfully and "resulted in the publication of a papal bull calling all patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and abbots to assemble at Mantua on 23 May 1537, for a general council".

In order to reach this securely and privately he built a viaduct (known as the Arch of St. Mark, or Passetto) from the tower to the top floor of the south-east corner of the Palazzetto, "replicating the palace-passageway-fortress system” which links the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo.

On the advice of Achille Starace, Mussolini as a rule left the lights on in his office over night in order to cultivate an image of a workaholic totally dedicated to official business—"a man who never sleeps" as repeated by the propaganda.

It was at the Palazzo Venezia, in the Stanza del Pappagallo (Hall of the Parrot) where the fascist regime came to an end: a palace coup setting forth Count Grandi's Order of the Day demanding Mussolini's powers be taken away by the king.

Arms of Pope Paul II ( Pietro Barbo ), builder of the present structure
The "Torre della Biscia ("Biscia Tower") of Palazzo Venezia rises above the pines in Piazza di San Marco; adjoining the tower at left is the Travertine marble two-storied loggia covering the original south facade and main entrance to the Basilica of Saint Mark. View from the south-east, from the Victor Emmanuel II Monument on the Capitoline Hill, approximately the position of the Tower of Pope Paul III (demolished 1886). The "Palazzetto is at left, having been moved in 1910 100 metres from its original position to the right of, and directly in front of, the Biscia Tower; the dome on the left is of the Church of the Gesù
East facade, facing Piazza Venezia, as rebuilt in 1450s by Pope Paul II (Pietro Barbo)
Palazzo Venezia, photo pre-1886, with buildings arranged largely as in the time of Pope Paul III, view from north: right: east facade of Palazzo San Marco: centre: the Palazzetto (demolished 1910); background, left: Tower of Paul III (demolished 1886) on Capitoline Hill, connected by a covered arched viaduct to the top floor of the Palazzetto
Palazzo Venezia, Rome - post 1911 diagram
Palazzo Venezia, Rome - pre 1886 diagram