The 'Talking' Palaces
​of Rome

Palazzo Coppedè a Via Veneto, Rome
Palazzo Coppedè a Via Veneto
At the corner of Via Veneto and Via di San Basilio stands the Palazzo Coppedè a Via Veneto, the last work of the Florentine architect Gino Coppedè. Its facade sports a number of inscriptions in Latin, which has led to it being called the Palazzo Parlante (The Talking Palace). It is by no means unique. The facades of hundreds of palazzi, the length and breadth of Rome, sport inscriptions in Latin.

Often the inscriptions take the form of proverbs or sayings, such as: ROMA LENIA QVIA AETERNA (Rome is slow because it is eternal), BONI VICINI ADSINT MALI ABSINT (Good neighbours are present bad neighbours are absent) and TEMPORE TEMPORA TEMPERA (Temper time with time). 
Latin Inscription, Palazzo dell' INA, Rome
Palazzo dell' INA
Most of the buildings were erected after 1871, the year Rome became the capital of Italy, and as such lie outside the centro storico. There are, however, exceptions.

Directly opposite the church of Sant' Andrea della Valle, a stone's throw from the Piazza Navona, stands the Palazzo dell' INA, which was erected in 1937. The inscription proclaims: ITALIAE FINES PROMOVIT BELLICA VIRTVS / ET NOVVS IN NOSTRA FVNDITVR VRBE DECOR / ANNO DOMINI MCMXXXVII IMPERII PRIMO (The virtue of war advanced Italy’s borders and a new beauty takes shape in our city. The year of our Lord 1937, the first of the empire). On May 9th 1936, Benito Mussolini announced the annexation of Ethiopia, which signalled the rebirth of the empire (la rinascita dell' impero). 
Latin inscription, Vicolo della Palomba, Rome
Vicolo della Palomba 15
In the centro storico there are also a few old houses that sport inscriptions in Latin. In Vicolo della Palomba, for instance, there is a 15th century palazzo which sports two: I · VIA · VIRTVTI · NVLLA · E · VIA (No path to virtue is barred) and  DENIQ · NO · OES · EADE · MIRATVR (Not everybody admires the same things). The first saying is from Ovid, the second Horace.  
Latin inscription, Via di San Macello, Rome
Via di San Macello
There is a charming inscription above the entrance to a house in Via di San Macello: LAETE INEUNTIBUS LAETOR (They who enter the house happy make the owner even happier). 
Latin inscription, Via di Monserrato 117, Rome
Via di Monserrato 117
Via di Monserrato 117: TRAHIT SVA QVEMQ VOLVPTAS (Each is attracted to what he/she likes). 
Latin inscription, Via di Monte Giordano 7, Rome
Via di Monte Giordano 7
Via di Monte Giordano 7: · VNDE · EO · OMNIA · (All things return to where they come from).
Latin Inscription, House of Lorenzo Manilio, Jewish Ghetto, Rome
House of Lorenzo Manilio
The prize for the longest inscription in the centro storico must go to the 15th century Casa di Lorenzo Manilio, in what was once the Jewish Ghetto. The inscription, which extends across the facade for more than 21 metres, reads: VRBE ROMA IN PRISTINAM FORMA(m) (r)ENASCENTE LAVR. MANLIUS KARITATE ERGA PATRI(am) (a)EDIS SVO NOMINE MANLIANAS PRO FORT(un)AR(um) MEDIOCRITATE AD FOR(um) IVDEOR(um) SIBI POSTERISQ(ue) SVIS A FVND(amentis) P(osuit) AB VRB(e) CON(dita) MMCCXXI L AN(no) M(ense) III D(ie) II P(osuit) XI CAL(endas) AVG(ustas). 

​It can be roughly translated as: 'In the city of Rome, now being reborn in its former glory, Lorenzo Manilio built this house in the Jewish quarter as a token of love for his city and within the limit of his modest means. This house for him and his heirs was begun on the 11th day after the calends of August in the 2,221st year from the foundation of the city, when Lorenzo was 50 years, 3 months and two days old.' The date corresponds to the year 1468.
To be continued...