Piazza Venezia, located at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, is the capital's main urban crossroads, where five of its most important arteries converge, including Via dei Fori Imperiali. The space is dominated by the imposing Vittoriano monument, but is framed by three other historic buildings: the 15th-century Palazzo Venezia, the 17th-century Palazzo Bonaparte, and the Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali.

The square takes its name from the residence commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Barbo (the future Pope Paul II). The building, which hosted numerous pontiffs and illustrious figures, features austere Renaissance architecture. The red brick facades, travertine profiles, and crenellated tower give the palace the appearance of a medieval fortress, typical of Roman residences of the time. Of particular note is the loggia in the main courtyard, which recalls the architectural design of the Colosseum.

The current configuration of the square dates back to 1885, when it was decided to build the Vittoriano to celebrate Victor Emmanuel II, the Father of the Nation. Giuseppe Sacconi's project required the demolition of an entire medieval neighborhood, and work continued until 1935. However, already in 1911, on the fiftieth anniversary of Italian unification, the colossal gilded bronze equestrian statue, made from 50 tons of metal recovered from army cannons, was inaugurated. Since 1921, the monument has also housed the Unknown Soldier, a symbol of the sacrifice of the nameless fallen.