Piazza del Quirinale

Piazza del Quirinale is a formal square on the Quirinal Hill in Rome directly in front of the Quirinal Palace, the official residence of Italy’s president. The square is notable for its large obelisk and the pair of Roman horseman statues that anchor its composition.

The space is dominated by the palace facade and the central sculptural ensemble - an obelisk flanked by the two horseman statues - which creates a compact, ceremonial setting. Visitors commonly photograph the palace frontage and the statues; the hilltop position provides views down to surrounding streets. Public presence is shaped by state functions and security around the palace.

The Quirinal Palace was built as a papal residence in the late 16th century and later served as the royal residence after Italian unification before becoming the presidential residence. The square and its sculptural elements were arranged over centuries as the hill’s civic and ceremonial heart.

The piazza sits on the Quirinal Hill in central Rome, between Via del Quirinale and Via Nazionale, within easy walking distance of major central landmarks such as the Spanish Steps and the Roman Forum.

• Hilltop location: The square sits on the Quirinal Hill, the highest of Rome's seven hills, offering elevated views of nearby streets and the hilltop façade of the palace.
• Ceremonial and security presence: Security and official ceremonies are common because the Quirinal Palace is the Italian president's official residence; public access to the palace is limited and often restricted during events.

What to See #

• Quirinal Palace: A large palazzo on the hill that has served as a papal residence, later the royal residence of the Kingdom of Italy, and today the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic.
• Obelisk and Dioscuri statues: An ancient Egyptian-style obelisk flanked by two monumental Roman marble statues of horsemen (the Dioscuri) form the central sculptural group in the square.