Galleria Alberto Sordi (formerly Galleria Colonna)

Halfway down Via del Corso, a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain, is the historic Galleria Alberto Sordi with its refined and unmistakable Art Nouveau architecture.

Born on a project by the Livorno architect Dario Carbone, in the period of the transformation of Rome into the capital of Italy, it opened in October 1922. Thanks to its central location, the Galleria of Piazza Colonna is one of the most famous and fascinating places in the city for the value of the architectural structure and for the myth that has always accompanied the frequentation of this place.

Like Piazza Colonna, on which it stands, the Gallery takes its name from the Column of Marcus Aurelius, called Antonina, built between 176 and 192 AD. by some of the most important historical buildings in Rome such as Palazzo Chigi, Wedekind Palace, and Ferrajoli Palace surround it.

In a late-eclectic style, the imposing structure was designed as a multifunctional building for offices and commerce. Its manifest typological and functional novelty made it different from other Roman palaces but made it perfect for the urban fabric of the city, also responding to the need of the rising bourgeoisie to live a worldliness marked by family walks, coffee meetings shopping in elegant shops.

In 2003, after complex restoration work, it was configured as a big prestigious gallery, modern and at the same time historic. The exceptional location, where are numerous historical and artistic buildings, the considerable catchment area, the continuous presence of Italian and foreign visitors, the excellent public transport links make it a privileged place not only for commerce but also for exhibitions and cultural events.

In 2009, the Colonna Gallery was renamed Galleria Alberto Sordi, after the famous Italian actor.

Closed to the public for about a year, the Galleria reopened in 2024 at the end of a lengthy redevelopment and restyling project that highlighted the historical and architectural value of the entire structure: among other things, the external glass windows were removed to allow greater dialogue between the exterior and interior, and the lighting was improved, making it more welcoming and sustainable. Today, Galleria Alberto Sordi can enclose, in a single multifunctional space, fifteen commercial activities, including Roman and international brands, which harmoniously combine history, contemporaneity and respect for the environment.