Palace of the Holy Office

The Palace of the Holy Office is an administrative building within Vatican City that houses the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The structure displays classical architecture and stands in close proximity to St. Peter's Square.

The building was founded in 1566 and marks a turning point in Church administration following the Council of Trent. Its creation reflected broader reforms that reshaped how the Church governed itself internally.

The palace serves as the heart of the Church's doctrinal work, where priests and theologians address matters of faith that affect Catholics worldwide. From the street, you sense this is a place where significant religious decisions are made, shaping Church teaching.

The building is not open to visitors and can only be viewed from the outside as part of a walk around Vatican City. The best vantage point for viewing is from St. Peter's Square, where the classical facade is clearly visible.

The palace holds extraterritorial status, giving it independence from Italian municipal law as a Vatican possession within the city. This makes it one of the few buildings in Rome that operates under different legal rules than the city itself.

Location: Rome

Official opening: September 2, 1566

Part of: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura, Extraterritorial properties of the Holy See

GPS coordinates: 41.90103,12.45608

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:42