Palazzo Montecitorio, Parliament building in Rome, Italy
Palazzo Montecitorio is a government building in central Rome that now serves as the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. The curved facade displays baroque lines with a central bell tower and four red-brick towers at the corners, while the interior holds a main hall with a colored glass ceiling.
Construction began in 1650 under Pope Innocent X following a design by Bernini, but work stopped after his death. Carlo Fontana took over the project and completed the palace in 1696, revising and expanding the original structure.
The name derives from the Latin term 'mons citatorius', referring to the spot where ancient Romans gathered when summoned for public assemblies. Visitors standing at the square today can see the building's role preserved through its continuous use as a gathering point for political life.
The chamber meets in the main hall, which is accessible through a public entrance on Piazza del Parlamento when tours are available. Visitors should bring identification and expect security checks at the entrance.
The obelisk in front of the entrance once served as part of an ancient Roman sundial on the Campus Martius. The bronze she-wolf in the Hall of the She-wolf recalls the mythological founding of Rome and shows Romulus and Remus beneath the animal.
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