Vittoriano
Rome, October 14, 2024 - As part of the works for the construction of the Rome Metro Line C, the opening of the restoration site of the main floor of Palazzo Venezia is announced.
The work, carried out preliminarily and at the same time as the structural consolidation and securing of the building, will begin following an accurate cognitive investigation campaign in order to investigate the conservative state of the decorative apparatus (ceilings, floors and wall paintings) of the second floor facing Piazza Venezia and Via del Plebiscito.
In a first phase, the worksite will affect the Barbo Apartment - the seven private rooms of the Venetian cardinal Pietro Barbo, who became pontiff under the name of Paul II, in which, among other things, his famous collection of glyptics, numismatics and goldsmithing was kept-and then will extend to the Monumental Rooms and the Cibo Apartment, a precious residence of cardinals located along the ancient via Papale, today's via del Plebiscito.
For the entire duration of the works, VIVE will guarantee the full enjoyment of the piano nobile of Palazzo Venezia by the public, who will be able to continue to enjoy the charm of one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance by retracing the history of its patron, Pietro Barbo, as well as to discover a heritage of art and culture unique in the world.
Starting the work today were the VIVE - Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia, headed by Edith Gabrielli, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Government architect Maria Lucia Conti, Roma Metropolitane Srl with Rup Ing. Andrea Sciotti and Metro C S.C.p.A with CEO Ing. Fabrizio Paolo Di Paola.
“Today at Palazzo Venezia a massive construction site kicks off that will involve the main floor of the Palazzo itself. Thanks to the cooperation and sensitivity of all parties involved, starting with Metro C, the initiative includes not only a consolidation work but a targeted restoration activity, in line with the methodological directives of the Ministry of Culture and, even before, of the great Italian tradition. Palazzo Venezia will come out stronger and even more usable, especially thanks to the renewed legibility of its decorative apparatus”, says Edith Gabrielli, Director of VIVE - Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia.
In line with the continuous and fruitful dialogue that the VIVE - Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia has always preserved with its community, the restoration site has been conceived as an “open” construction site; in this way, citizens and tourists will be able to observe the operators live by taking part in the guided tours that will be organized ad hoc during the entire period of the works that will end at the end of 2025.
The “dialogue” with the public also continues outside the building; for the part of Palazzo Venezia affected by the structural consolidation works, on the side of Piazza Venezia and Via del Plebiscito, scaffolding has been planned to tell the story of the interior of the Palace.
The start of the construction site allows VIVE to continue with the creation of the new stable tour route, centered on the so-called Fatto in Italia. Curated for the museological part by Edith Gabrielli and the museographic by renowned architect Michele De Lucchi, the project involves the entire main floor of the palace, including precisely the rooms between Piazza Venezia and Via del Plebiscito, now empty. The public will once again be able to admire hundreds of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, weapons, furniture, jewelry, textiles and other examples of the applied, or decorative arts, most of which, to date, have been confined to deposits.
