Palazzo Koch - Via Nazionale, Rome - Bank of Italy behind the Palms

The grand travertine facade of Palazzo Koch, headquarters of the Bank of Italy, stretches along Via Nazionale behind a row of palm trees in central Rome.

Palazzo Koch stands prominently on Via Nazionale in central Rome and serves as the historic headquarters of the Bank of Italy. Designed by architect Gaetano Koch at the end of the 19th century, the building was originally created for the National Bank of the Kingdom of Italy and later became the home of the Banca d’Italia. Opened in 1893, the palace is distinguished by its restrained but monumental three-storey travertine facade, rows of classical windows and carefully ordered architectural details. In this photograph, mature palm trees line the perimeter and soften the imposing appearance of the building, while traffic and pedestrians place the historic palace firmly within the everyday life of modern Rome. The scene reflects the transformation of Via Nazionale into one of the major urban avenues created after Rome became the capital of unified Italy.