What Palazzo Colonna Is
Palazzo Colonna is one of Rome's oldest and grandest palaces, still owned and lived in today by the historic Colonna family. It houses the Galleria Colonna (Colonna Gallery), one of the most opulent and spectacular Baroque galleries in the city: a sequence of gilded halls, frescoed ceilings, marble and masterpieces that leaves you genuinely speechless.
It is less famous than the major museums, partly because it usually opens to the public on Saturday mornings only: anyone who manages to visit enjoys a truly exclusive experience. The palace sits in the heart of Rome, between Piazza Venezia, the Quirinale and the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), making it an easy stop on any walk through the historic centre.
What makes the place special is a handful of unmissable highlights:
- The Great Hall of the Galleria Colonna, opulent and luminous.
- The famous cannonball embedded in the marble staircase.
- The paintings: The Bean Eater (Mangiafagioli) by Annibale Carracci, plus works by Bronzino, Tintoretto, Veronese and Guercino.
- The frescoed ceilings celebrating the Battle of Lepanto (1571).
- Its starring role as a set for the classic film Roman Holiday (Vacanze Romane).
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What to See
The Galleria Colonna is a run of gilded rooms, mirrors, marble and masterpieces, set inside the palace of the historic Colonna family. Here is what you can't miss.
The Great Hall
The heart of the gallery is the spectacular Sala Grande (Great Hall), over 70 meters long, a triumph of gilding, mirrors, ancient statues and frescoes. The ceiling celebrates the glories of the Colonna family, above all the victory of Marcantonio Colonna at the Battle of Lepanto (1571).
It is one of the most cinematic rooms in Rome, and film lovers will recognize it instantly: this is where the final scene of Roman Holiday was shot, the press conference with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. We cover it in a dedicated guide: the Galleria Colonna and Roman Holiday.
The Cannonball
A curious detail every visitor goes looking for: a real cannonball is embedded in the marble staircase that cuts across the Great Hall, lodged there during the 1849 siege of Rome (French troops against the Roman Republic). The family chose to leave it exactly where it landed, as a piece of living history.
The Paintings: the Mangiafagioli and the Masters
The Colonna collection holds painting masterpieces:
- The famous Mangiafagioli (The Bean Eater) by Annibale Carracci, a vivid, lifelike portrait of a commoner at the table.
- Works by Bronzino, Tintoretto, Veronese, Guercino and other masters.
- Family portraits and a rich picture collection spread across the halls.
The Apartments and the Garden
Beyond the gallery, your visit may include (depending on the ticket):
- The Appartamento della Principessa Isabelle, with its furnishings and frescoes.
- The terraced garden at the rear, connected to the gallery.
- The smaller rooms, just as richly decorated.
Tickets and Opening Hours
The single most important thing to know about Palazzo Colonna is this: it is a private collection still lived in by the family, so as a rule it opens to the public only on Saturday mornings (with the occasional special opening or event on other dates). Planning your visit for a Saturday is therefore essential. This is the "secret" that causes so many travelers to miss this gem. Always check current days and times on the official website.
| Open | Usually Saturday mornings only (plus occasional special openings) |
|---|---|
| Admission | A little more than the state museums, as it's a private collection |
| Discounts | Available for students and other categories |
| Ticket usually includes | The Galleria Colonna; in some cases also the Garden and the Appartamento della Principessa Isabelle |
| Visit length | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
Admission costs a little more than the state museums precisely because this is a private collection (figures are indicative, so check current prices on the official website), with discounts for students and other categories.
Guided Tours
On Saturday mornings you'll often find guided tours (English included) bundled in or available separately. They come highly recommended for getting the most out of the Colonna family's history, the paintings and the anecdotes (the cannonball and Roman Holiday among them). Check tour times on the official website.
How to Get There
Palazzo Colonna sits between Piazza Venezia, the Quirinale and the Trevi Fountain, right in the historic centre. The entrance for visiting the Gallery is usually on Via della Pilotta. It's a prime, central location, easy to reach on foot and by the transit lines serving Piazza Venezia.
On Foot from the Centre
Palazzo Colonna is just minutes from the city's top sights:
- Piazza Venezia — a 3-5 minute walk.
- Trevi Fountain — about 5-7 minutes.
- Quirinale — a short uphill stroll.
- Pantheon — roughly 10 minutes.
That makes it an easy stop on any walk through the heart of Rome.
By Bus
Piazza Venezia, just steps away, is Rome's main bus hub: countless lines pass through or terminate here, linking it to the entire city. From there the palace is a short walk away.
By Metro
There's no metro stop right outside. The closest are Barberini (Line A, about 12 minutes away) and Colosseo/Cavour (Line B). You're better off taking a bus, walking, or hiring a private driver.
By Car and the ZTL
Palazzo Colonna sits right in the historic centre, inside a ZTL (limited traffic zone), with heavy traffic and parking that's all but impossible. With a private driver (NCC) the problem disappears: they drop you as close to the entrance as possible and handle every transfer and wait — ideal on a Saturday morning in particular (the only day it's open), perhaps paired with other stops in the centre.
Practical Tips
- Go on Saturday morning: as a rule it's the only day open to the public.
- Check the official website: hours, dates and special closures change.
- Consider the guided tour: it brings the history and anecdotes to life.
- Arrive early: the morning is short and crowds can build.
- Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to take in the Great Hall, the cannonball, Carracci's Mangiafagioli and the Appartamento Isabelle and garden (if included).
Suggested Itinerary
Palazzo Colonna pairs perfectly with the sights nearby:
- Piazza Venezia and the Vittoriano.
- The Trevi Fountain and the Quirinale.
- The Imperial Forums and the Pantheon.
A private driver keeps the whole itinerary flowing, especially on a Saturday morning. See also Palazzo Venezia: the complete guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palazzo Colonna? One of Rome's oldest and grandest private palaces, still owned by the Colonna family, home to the opulent Galleria Colonna, one of the most spectacular Baroque galleries in the city.
When can you visit Palazzo Colonna? Usually on Saturday mornings only (plus a few special openings), as it is a private collection. Check the opening hours and dates on the official website before planning your visit.
How much is a ticket? Because it's a private collection, admission costs a little more than the state museums, with discounts for students and other categories. Check current prices on the official website.
What does the ticket include? Usually the Galleria Colonna; in some cases the Garden and the Appartamento della Principessa Isabelle as well.
What can you see at Palazzo Colonna? The Great Hall of the Galleria Colonna, the cannonball on the staircase, paintings by Annibale Carracci (The Bean Eater), Bronzino, Tintoretto and Veronese, and the ceilings depicting the Battle of Lepanto.
Is it true that Roman Holiday was filmed here? Yes: the Great Hall of the Galleria Colonna was the set for the final scene of the film Roman Holiday (1953), the press conference.
How do you get to Palazzo Colonna? On foot from the centre (it sits between Piazza Venezia, the Trevi Fountain and the Quirinale), by the buses serving Piazza Venezia, or with a private driver. The entrance is usually on Via della Pilotta. The closest metro stops are Barberini (Line A, about 12 minutes) and Colosseo/Cavour (Line B).
How long do you need for the visit? About 1 to 1.5 hours. Keep in mind that opening is usually limited to Saturday mornings.
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