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Colonna district is famous for being one of the first tourist destinations. Second, only to the Vatican and Colosseum, the Colonna district presents a unique microclimate where tourists can enjoy quality shopping plus acquire both spiritual and gastronomic experiences they surely never had before.
History
As many of you might have guessed, Colonna district was named after the victory column that is placed on the main square (piazza) of the district. The total height of the column is 39.7 meters long. It was built around 180 AC, in an honor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The column is covered in spiral picture relief depicting the victory of the Emperor on either the Danubian or Marcomannic wars, waged by him from 166 to his death. At the top of the column, you can see the statue of the Emperor. One interesting fact is that in the late 1500s this statue was lost and replaced by the statue of St. Paul under the commission of Pope Sixtus V.
The Colonna district was not heavily inhabited right until 16th century when the Roman nobility started building luxurious villas in the neighborhood
Modern History
Today, the Colonna district, with all confidence is called the center of everything good Rome has to offer, from museums to shopping areas, from restaurants to the cozy Italian and cafés from where you can observe the true Roman life.
What to See
Following is the list of places to visit in the Colonna district:
Galleria Alberto Sordi
Initially named Galleria Colonna (do not confuse it with the Colonna Gallery Palace), this shopping arcade was renamed after the famous Italian actor Alberto Sordi in 2003. Alberto Sordi, deceased in 2003, used to play in Teatro Galleria, which was part of the building. Galleria Alberto Sordi was designed in the early 1900s by Dario Carbone and built right on via del Corso (central shopping street). The Art Nouveau-style building now presents a wide array of shopping options for tourists, from popular youth brands like Bershka to local Italian brands.
- Address: Piazza Colonna, 00187
- By metro: line A (stops: Barberini and Spagna)
- By bus: № 175, 71, 62, 492 (stop: Largo Chigi), №64 (stop: Piazza Venezia)
- By tram: №8
- Galleria hours:
- – Monday to Friday: 08.30 to 21.00
– Saturday: 08.30 to 22.00
– Sunday: 09.30 to 21.00 - Official webpage: www.galleriaalbertosordi.it
Read about TOP 30 Tourist Attractions & Places in Rome.
Palazzo di Montecitorio
If Rome is the heart or Italy, the Palace is the heart of Italian politics. Initially Papal residence, Palazzo di Montecitorio now serves as a seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
The building of the Palace was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (yes, that Bernini), who also was a nephew of the Pope Gregory XV. Therefore, the work was temporarily terminated in 1623 soon after the Pope’s death. During the papacy of Innocent XII, the construction was finished by another architect named Carlo Fontana. After the unification of Italy in 1861, it was decided to use this building as a seat of the Chamber of Deputies. The interior of the Palace is completed in the Art Nouveau, which can be seen from numerous colored glass works and bronze figures embellishing the benches.
The Palace is open for tourist visits once a month from October to June. Sometimes, the Chamber of Deputies holds exhibitions that tourists can enjoy during their stay in Rome
- Address: Piazza di Monte Citorio
- By bus: №51, 85, 87, 118 (stop – Fori Imperiali or Campidoglio)
Palazzo Chigi
Another treasure of the Colonna district is the Chigi Palace. Today, the building is playing the role of the official residence of the Prime Minister of Italy. In the past, many noble families used it as a residence as well.
- Address: Piazza Colonna, 370
Read about the Districts of Rome.
Where to eat in the Colonna district
Here are some suggestions on where to eat in and close to the Colonna district.
La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro
Being the first coffee shop in Rome, Tazza d’Oro is not the perfect place to have traditional Italian coffee with a view on Pantheon, but also a shop in which you can acquire several coffee and chocolate production under the coffee shop’s name.
- Website: www.tazzadorocoffeeshop.com
- Address: Via degli Orfani 84
PaStation
PaStation was born from the desire to export the Italian culinary tradition par excellence: Authentic Italian pasta made with durum wheat, fresh pulled by hand, with egg, and with wholemeal flour. Here, you can experiment with the type of pasta you love and enjoy a journey to discover regional excellence, and many other carefully researched products.
- Address: Via Barberini, 13
Gelateria Giolitti
Rome’s most famous gelateria, Giolitti, has welcomed visitors for over a century and continues to impress with its fresh, creamy flavours. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn swung by in the film Roman Holiday and holidaying celebrities often stop by for a quick gelato fix. Its marron glacé was supposedly a favorite of Pope John Paul II.
- Address: Via degli Uffici del Vicario 40
