The Mausoleum of Augustus has reopened to the public, the largest circular tomb of the ancient world, emblem of the architectural magnificence of the Roman world. Finally the monument is accessible to everyone again.
The first official day of visit to the Mausoleum of Augustus was inaugurated this morning by the Mayor Virginia Rages, who wanted to share it with the representatives of the categories of citizens particularly affected by the consequences of the pandemic: traders and shop assistants, bartenders, restaurateurs, workers, layoff workers, doctors, nurses, Civil Protection volunteers and priests, always on the front line for giving support during the emergency, and finally students and professors of the Capitoline Professional Training Centers, who carried on the school year with great commitment and sacrifice, overcoming all the difficulties. The Mausoleum has been closed since 2007 due to the start of the archaeological investigations preliminary to the realization of the great recovery and restoration project carried out by Roma Capitale.
"Finally the Mausoleum of Augustus reopens, a jewel of the historical heritage of humanity that we are returning to the whole world after so many years of closure. We have worked towards this goal with commitment and tenacity, supported by the patronage of the TIM Foundation, which has allowed us to make a beautiful gift to the citizens, with the generosity of an enlightened entrepreneurship, sensitive to the immeasurable value of our historical, artistic and cultural heritage . This first day of visit is the important symbol of a restart for the city and for the country. For this reason, we wanted to dedicate it to the people put to the test by the health emergency: Rome values its past, to look to the future together with the citizens”, declares the mayorVirginia Rages.
The President of the TIM Foundation was also present at the opening of the visits to the public Salvatore Rossi, the Councilor for Economic Development, Tourism and Employment Andrea Coia, the Councilor for Cultural Growth of Rome Capital Lorenza Fruci, the Special Superintendent of Rome Danielle Porro, the Capitoline Superintendent Maria Vittoria Marini Clarelli, the Director of Monumental Construction Antonello Fatello and the Director of the Capitoline Museums Claudio Parisi Presicce.
Salvatore Rossi, President of the TIM Foundation, commented: “We are proud to have worked together with Roma Capitale for the recovery of one of the most important places in world archaeology. Fondazione TIM immediately joined the project to restore and enhance the Mausoleum of Augustus, committing a total of 8 million euros, to give new life to what we think will be one of the most visited sites in the world. It is important that private patrons also collaborate to conserve and promote the historical and cultural heritage of the country; is one of the objectives of the TIM Foundation. We are doing this by making available not only money but also technology: we will give citizens and tourists the opportunity to have an innovative multimedia experience, which will make visiting the Mausoleum even more fascinating and spectacular".
At the same time as the completion of the museum itinerary and the redevelopment of the square, directed by the Capitoline Superintendency for Cultural Heritage, the area of Piazza Augusto Imperatore has been made more livable from now on by the relocation of the bus terminals and the elimination of parking lots, with a consequent gain in space for the benefit of citizens and the usability of the area.
The Mausoleum can be visited free of charge by all until 21 April, the day in which Rome's "Christmas" is celebrated.
Reservations, already sold out, will be possible again from March 1st – for the period from April 22nd to June 30th – on the websitewww.mausoleodiaugusto.it, where you can also pre-purchase the entrance ticket.
From next April 22, and for the whole of 2021, access will always remain free for residents of Rome, while there will be a fee for non-residents, according to the rates set for the current year (€4,00 full price; € 3,00 reduced +€1,00 pre-sale).
The visits, lasting about 50 minutes, will take place from Monday to Friday from 9 to 16 (last admission at 15), in compliance with the indications of the current Prime Minister's Decree which provides for the closure of places of culture at the weekend. Those who have booked on Saturday and Sunday will be contacted and relocated to other dates.
Furthermore, starting from 22 April 2021, the visit to the Mausoleum will be enriched by digital contents, in virtual and augmented reality, created by the TIM Foundation.
The museum services will be managed by Zètema Progetto Cultura.
After the first phase of conservative restoration completed in 2019 and carried out through public funding of 4.275.000 euros (of which 2 million paid by the Mibact and 2.275.000 by Roma Capitale), the enhancement phase of the monument is currently underway thanks to the allocation provided by the TIM Foundation.
Thanks to the restoration of the Mausoleum carried out so far, with the arrangement of numerous internal chambers and the start of the preparation of the museum itinerary, it was possible to bring the use of the monument forward to March 2021 with respect to the deadlines set for the completion of the museum works . Even with the construction site underway, the public will therefore be able to visit the central area and access the spaces in safety.
