Palazzo Colonna is one of Rome's oldest and grandest palaces, still owned 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.

It sits in the heart of Rome, between Piazza Venezia, the Quirinale and the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi).

What makes Palazzo Colonna special

  • 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 and Veronese.
  • The frescoed ceilings celebrating the Battle of Lepanto.
  • Its starring role as a set for the classic film Roman Holiday (Vacanze Romane).

We go deeper in our guide to what to see at the Colonna Gallery.

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The Great Hall and Roman Holiday

The heart of the gallery is the spectacular Great Hall, long and bright, with gilded mirrors, statues and a frescoed ceiling celebrating the glories of the Colonna family. It is one of the most scenic rooms in Rome, and film lovers will recognize it instantly: this is where the final scene of Roman Holiday was shot, with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. We cover it in our guide to the Colonna Gallery and Roman Holiday.

The cannonball

A curious detail every visitor goes looking for: a real cannonball is embedded in the marble staircase of the Great Hall, a relic of the siege of Rome in 1849. It was left exactly where it fell, as a piece of living history.

Opening hours and how long you need

Palazzo Colonna usually opens to the public on Saturday mornings only (plus a few special openings): a crucial detail to factor in when planning your visit. For the full details, see our guide to Palazzo Colonna tickets and hours. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for the visit.

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.

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 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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Article #432 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026