News Terrorism

Anti-terrorism measures at Rome's Quirinal Palace

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

29 Aug, 2017

Security raised at Italian president's residence.

40 large-scale flower pots were installed along the perimeter of Rome's Palazzo Quirinale, the official resident of Italy's president, on 28 August.

The move was ordered by Rome security chiefs as part of a range of measures in response to the Barcelona terror attack on 17 August, when a van was driven into pedestrians, killing 13 and injuring 130.

The flower pots, containing oleandar plants, have large, heavy bases designed to impede the flow of vehicles in the vicinity of the palace, in particular the open space used for the changing of the guard.

In recent days two similar barriers were installed on Via dei Fori Imperiali: one at the Piazza Venezia end, the other at Largo Corrado Ricci, the junction in front of the Roman Forum, near the Colosseum.

Large flower boxes will also be positioned on the pedestrian stretch of Via del Corso between Piazza del Popolo and Largo Goldoni. In addition there will no longer be direct access for taxis and chauffeur-driven NCC cars to the Capitoline hill, home to the offices of the city's mayor.

Extra security measures are also being implemented in other Italian cities including Bologna, Florence, Milan and Turin.

Photo ANSA