Rome – Palazzo Venezia

In central Rome is Palazzo Venezia which was built in 1455 for Cardinal Pietro Barbo, who later became Pope Paul II. In 1564 the palace became the embassy of the Republic of Venice and in the nineteenth century until 1916 it was the residence of the Venice of Austria-Hungary ambassador. During fascism, the palace became the residence of fascist leader Benito Mussolini. From the balcony of the palace, Mussolini gave several fiery speeches to the audience gathered below in Piazza Venezia. For instance, declaration of war against France and Britain on June 10, 1940.