The Carabinieri

Carabinieri Officers in Piazza Colonna, Rome, Italy
May 2026

The official residence of the Italian prime minister, the Palazzo Chigi is within Piazza Colonna along with a heavy presence of the carabinieri, the national police force. Some tourists may be surprised at how heavily some are armed with automatic weapons.

On the corner of the building is an image of the Virgin Mary, an example of an edicola sacra (sacred street shrine). It has a small roof and a very cool looking sconce. These are all over Italy with figures of The Madonna and various saints and are intended to mark neighborhoods, serve as focal points for processions and to protect residents and travelers.