Colonna, Rome

The Palazzo Doria Pamphili, one of Rome's largest palaces, is bounded by the Corso, Via del Plebiscito, Via della Gatta, Piazza del Collegio Romano and Via Lata, with the Palazzo Bonaparte forming an enclave at the south eastern corner. In the course of its three centuries of existence the palace, with its varied façades and courtyards has been fashioned by a number of different architects and owned by different families - first the della Rovere, then the Aldobrandini and finally the Pamphili, from whom it descended to the Doria family.

The Palazzo Massimo, a master work by Baldassare Peruzzi built in 1532-36, lies between the Piazza Sant'Andrea della Valle and Piazza Pantaleo. The residences of the Massimo which had previously stood here were destroyed in 1527 during the famous Sack of Rome, the plundering of the city by Charles V's troops.The palace is a characteristic example of the Mannerist school of architecture (between the Renaissance and Baroque), which relieves the weight of the masonry by breaking up and transforming the basic geometric forms and giving them an elegant and playful effect. The portico, supported by six Doric columns, enhances the unique character of this palace.

The Palazzo Montecitorio, begun by Bernini in 1650 for Pope Innocent X Pamphili and completed in 1694 by Carlo Fontana, has been occupied since 1871 by the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Italian Parliament. At the beginning of this century the palace was enlarge to meet Parliamentary needs. In the Piazza di Montecitorio is an ancient Egyptian obelisk (594-589 B.C.). Here German archaeologists excavated what is claimed to be the largest sundial in the world, dating from the second century A.D., of which the obelisk was the gnomon. The great bronze base of the sundial, 60m/200ft in diameter, was brought to light behind the Chamber of Deputies at a depth of 6.5m/20ft below the present street level. Below it is the still more famous sundial of Augustus.

The Piazza della Rotonda in front of the Pantheon, the heart of the Centro Storico, is a popular meeting place for all ages, particularly in the summer months. The pleasant cafes, bars and tea rooms which encircle the square and its fountain, create a lively atmosphere late into the night. After visiting the Pantheon visitors may wish to take some refreshment here and sample the delicious "bignes" pastries at Di Rienzo.The obelisk was found in the Iseo Campense and was placed here in 1711. It was decorated with dolphins and coats of arms of Pope Clement XI.

The church of San Lorenzo in Lucina, dedicated to the martyr St Lawrence, who is much venerated in Rome, has had an eventful history. Originally built in the fourth and fifth centuries over the house of a Roman woman named Lucina, it was rebuilt in the 12th century and received its present form in 1650. On the high altar is a "Crucifixion" by Guido Reni, one of his finest works. The fourth chapel in the south aisle, the Fonseca Chapel, was designed by Bernini.

After the Turkish victory in the battle of Kosovo in 1387 many refugees from Dalmatia and Albania fled to Rome, and this church (built during the reigns of Sixtus IV and V and completed in 1588) was thereafter known as the church "degli Illirici" or "degli Schiavoni". It is now the Croatian national church and has a priests' college attached to it.

The Palazzo Bonaparte - still bearing the name on the facade - stands at the end of the Corso nearest Piazza Venezia. In this 17th century palace Napoleon's mother Letizia Ramorino lived until her death in 1836.