Madama Palace (Palazzo Madama)

The Basics

Built for two Medici cardinals who later became popes Leo X and Clement VII, Palazzo Madama saw a series of regal residents—from Catherine de’ Medici to Cardinal Francesco Maria Del Monte, best known as patron of Caravaggio—before housing Italy’s Senate in the 19th century. Today, many of its halls retain original Renaissance flourishes, primarily ceiling coffers and frescoes. Later renovations modernized the remainder of the lavish interior, and much of the art dates from the Risorgimento, Italy’s unification.

You can visit the palace only with a guide—tours are available on the first Saturday of the month on a first-come-first-serve basis. Many walking, e-bike, and Vespa tours of Rome’s famous sights go past the palace.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Large bags and backpacks, plastic and glass bottles, cans, umbrellas, and other pointed objects are prohibited inside Palazzo Madama.

• No photos or videos are allowed.

• The palace is wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There

Located on Piazza Madama, between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, Palazzo Madama can be reached on foot from most of the top attractions in Rome’s historic center.

When to Get There

Palazzo Madama is open to the public the first Saturday of the month, but you can admire its Renaissance facade and cornice at any time. The palace is particularly lovely at night, when the building is lit up.

Palazzo di Montecitorio

Not far from where senators gather at Palazzo Madama, the baroque Palazzo di Montecitorio, built in 1653 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, houses Italy’s Chamber of Deputies. The palace was expanded by Carlo Fontana in the late 17th century, and today sports art nouveau touches added in the early 20th century.

Ways to explore

You can visit the palace only with a guide—tours are sometimes available on the first Saturday of the month on a first-come, first-served basis. Otherwise, admire the building’s exterior on various walking, e-bike, and Vespa tours of Rome’s famous sights or on your own city sightseeing journey as you pass it. If you are lucky enough to see inside the palace, you’ll get a peek at its grand rooms and chambers, some with Renaissance flourishes, such as ceiling coffers and frescoes.

Accessibility

The street opposite the palace is wheelchair accessible, but security personnel block public access to the piazza in front of the palace.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, bottled water

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, sunhat, sunglasses

Not allowed

The palace is closed to the public, except on special days.

Amenities

Near the palace are bars, restaurants, and luggage storage facilities.

Address

Located on Piazza Madama, between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, Madama Palace can be reached on foot from most of the top attractions in Rome’s historic center. Public transportation is the next best option.

Driving

While it is possible to drive to the palace, it’s not worth it, both because of the limited traffic zones and the difficulty of finding inner-city parking. Instead, find a parking garage on the edge of the historical center and go on foot from there.

Public transportation

Take one of the many buses that run to the Senato bus stop (including the 30, 492, 628, and 70), just at the end of the street from the palace and the piazza, noting that Corso del Rinascimento is a 1-way street.

Best times to visit

The palace exterior is particularly lovely at night, when the building is lit up, and the piazza is less likely to be busy.

Best days to visit

Palazzo Madama is often open to the public on the first Saturday of the month, but you can admire its facade and cornice at any time.

Best months to visit

If you visit outside the peak summer months of June to September, you can expect to have a quieter, more peaceful time admiring the palace.