Piazze Venezia
While many squares and piazzas in Rome are intended to provide respite from the madness of the city, Piazza Venezia is a funnel of Roman traffic chaos, an essential part of the insanity. Located at the end of Via del Corso, this is a traffic hub, along the lines of British “roundabouts”, but crazier. Not a great spot for R&R.
It’s near the Forum, Capitoline Hill and the Roman Pantheon, helping to add to the traffic congestion. There is a large green space situated within the bordering streets, and on it rests a giant (molto grande!) statue/monument to Emmanuel II, King of Italy. It doesn’t change or ease the nuance of the place.
However, the Piazza is surrounded by historic buildings, their facades evoking images of various eras of Rome’s history. A walk around the periphery (be careful to stay on the sidewalk!) will introduce you to the staggering architecture of Palazzo Generali, Palazzo Venezia, and Palazzo Bonaparte. The latter is where Emperor Napoleon’s mother, Letizia, stayed here when the Napoleonic Empire fell; she was granted asylum by the Pope and lived at this address until her death in 1836. So, even in the haze of car exhaust, there is compassionate history to be found.
