On the west side of Piazza Venezia is the Palazzo Venezia, built by Bernardo Rossellino to a design by Leon Battista Alberti. This building housed the Venetian embassy in Rome. As a Venetian property, it belonged to the Austrian Imperial Government during the Austrian occupation of Venice until 1916. Later it was the seat of Mussolini's government. The palace now houses two museums: the Museo Nazionale Palazzo Venezia (Museum of Decorative Arts) and the Museo Chere, where you can view wax figures and the recreated interior of Mussolini's last office.
The Church of San Marco, which stands on the square of the same name, is practically built into the Palazzo Venezia, although it dates back to the 4th century. Indeed, its foundation dates from the reign of Pope Marcus. In connection with the remodelling of the Palazzo Venezia, the church was also rebuilt during the pontificate of Paul II, a member of the Venetian Barbo family, and in the 18th century it underwent a Baroque renovation, especially the interior, to meet the requirements of the era. The façade of the church is decorated with a portico of three arches and an elegant loggia by Giuliano da Maiano.
