About This Location
Galleria Alberto Sordi is a covered shopping gallery just off Via del Corso, a short walk from Piazza Colonna. It is an easy landmark in the city center - a place to step out of the traffic and into a bright indoor passage. The building opened in the early 1920s, when Rome was modernizing its central streets. The design mixes early 20th-century style with classic Roman touches, so it feels both modern and traditional. Look up at the glass roof that fills the space with daylight, and notice the rich decorative details inside - polished stone, arches, and elegant shopfronts. For many Romans, this gallery has long been tied to everyday city life: meeting up, window-shopping, grabbing a coffee, and cutting through the block without crossing the busiest part of Corso. It is also known for its name - today it honors Alberto Sordi, one of Italy’s most beloved film actors, closely linked to Rome’s character and humor. Outside, the surroundings change quickly in every direction. One side leads straight to Piazza Colonna and the Column of Marcus Aurelius. Another brings back to Via del Corso, with its long line of shops and steady flow of people. A few minutes away are Palazzo Chigi and the government area, which is why security and official activity can be noticeable nearby. This is a compact spot where shopping, politics, and the daily rhythm of the historic center all overlap.