Palazzo della Consulta (Constitutional Court): Int. Police Station, Rome

The Council Palace on the Quirinal Hill was originally built in the late 16th century under Pope Sixtus V to house the Court of the Sacred Council. In the 1730s, Pope Clement XII had it entirely rebuilt into an expansive structure intended to accommodate the Sacred Council congregation, as well as the quarters for the Pope's cavalry guards and the foot soldiers assigned to the papal carriage escort.

During the Napoleonic era, this late Baroque edifice served as the Prefecture of the Tiber and later as the government seat of the Second Roman Republic in 1848. After Rome’s annexation by Italy in 1870, it was briefly a royal residence before housing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later the Ministry of Colonies. Since 1955, it has been the seat of the Constitutional Court.

Architecturally, the palace features a grand two-story façade with a Corsini papal coat of arms, a striking staircase, pilasters, and various decorations. The interior boasts frescoes from different periods.

In the Roman Holiday movie, the palace served as the police station where Princess Ann was taken after crashing her Vespa into vendor stalls. The chaotic yet thrilling scooter ride through Rome begins at G. Rocca Cafe, with Joe expertly navigating the city while Ann encounters mishaps, including collisions with street vendors and café tables. Eventually, they arrive at the police station, briefly shown in the film. The Dioscuri Fountain and the obelisk in Quirinal Square confirm the location. Though fleeting, these glimpses of Rome’s landmarks add authenticity to the film’s iconic scenes.