The Quirinale Palace and square (2024)

Under the watchful eye of the imposing Corazzieri stands, on the highest of the seven hills of Rome, the Palazzo del Quirinale which, since 1946, has been the symbolic place of the Repubblica italiana and the official seat of the Presidente della Repubblica.

The Quirinale has been, for over three centuries, the summer residence of the popes and the home of the kings of Italy.

Due to its elevated position and particular healthiness, the place where the Palace rises has been home to residential areas and important public and religious buildings since antiquity, including the Temple of Serapis built by Caracalla in 217 AD, from which originates the Dioscuri, the sculptural group that adorns the square. Castor and Pollux, the divine twins, grab the reins of their clodding horses.

With its 110,500 square meters, the Quirinale is the sixth largest palace in the world, 20 times larger than the White House.

Thanks to the beauty of its architecture by Domenico Fontana, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini who created here the suggestive Loggia delle Benedizioni, Quirinale is a tourist attraction endowed with a unique heritage of art, history and culture.

Its art collections are celebrated throughout the world and are made up of ancient and modern statues and paintings, priceless tapestries, royal carriages of fine Italian manufacture, precious clocks, whose oldest examples date back to the time of Louis XIV, as well as the large porcelain collection of about 38,000 pieces, which can be considered among the most prestigious worldwide.Since 2019, contemporary art has also made its official entry into the Palazzo with “Quirinale Contemporaneo”, a “project in progress” included in the visit itinerary and aimed at opening the Quirinale’s doors to the future while respecting the past and traditions. Paintings, sculptures and installations signed by great artists of the 20th century, alongside objects conceived by Italian designers and produced by Italian companies, have thus found a stable place in the courtyards, halls and gardens of the Palazzo, in the Castelporziano estate and in Villa Rosebery. With the three editions of the project, the collection has come to count 102 works of art and 101 design objects. Italian artists on display include, for example, Giorgio de Chirico, Lucio Fontana, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Giacomo Manzù, Afro, Alberto Burri, Carla Accardi and Giosetta Fioroni, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Pino Pascali and Mimmo Rotella. As regards design objects, one of the most appreciated Italian excellences in the world, the project includes works by Gio Ponti, Piero Fornasetti, Franco Albini, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Vico Magistretti, Carlo Mollino, Gae Aulenti, Gaetano Pesce, Alessandro Mendini , Cini Boeri, Paola Navone and many others.

Not be missed, the extraordinary gardens of about 4 hectares dating back to the 16th century that invite the visitor to stroll among their geometric flowerbeds, the rich collection of tree species, the high hedges and even a thick grove with wide avenues and enchanting pergolas. In one of the panoramic points of the park is the elegant Coffee House, designed by the architect Ferdinando Fuga in the 18th century, from whose terrace it is possible to admire the 16th century Fontana dell'Organo, whose mechanism, although restored, is still working.

One of the most awaited moments by tourists and citizens is the changing of the guard performed, every Sunday, by the Corazzieri, one of the most prestigious and spectacular armed escorts in the world, accompanied by the Guardia di Finanza Band.

Photo credits: Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9.30 to 16.00 (last entry at 14.30)
Closed Mondays and Thursdays

The Palace will remain closed during Christmas holidays, during celebrations for Italy’s Republic Day (June 2) and throughout the month of August.
Tours, even if booked, can undergo changes for institutional reasons. In this case, visitors will have the option of changing the date of the tour or requesting a refund.

Entrance: Piazza del Quirinale.

Reservation required at least 5 days prior to the tour:
- online
- INFOPOINT – Information and reservation center, Salita di Montecavallo 15A. Open 9-13 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday
At the INFOPOINT, visitors will find information leaflets and other material illustrating the tour.

Tours are organized for a maximum of10 people and, in the case of school children, for groups made up of 2 classes plus their teachers; they depart every 20 minutes.

In case of late arrival, visitors will not be allowed into the Palace and they will have to make another reservation.In case of the availability of unsold tickets, they will be sold at the INFOPOINT up to one hour prior to the scheduled departure of the tour. The ticket price shall include the booking charge.
The tour is guided by volunteer personnel recruited through agreements with the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and the Italian Touring Club.

Visitors will have to be on site 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the tour and bring with them a valid identification document.
In case the names given at the time of the reservation do not coincide with those on the identification documents, visitors will be denied access.
Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Piazza e Palazzo del Quirinale, Piazza del Quirinale

Piazza del Quirinale

41° 53' 57.1344" N, 12° 29' 10.7124" E