The Emperor challenges Covid, the Mausoleum of Augustus reopens in Rome

ROME - After 14 years the Mausoleum of Augustus reopens to the public.

At the end of a long recovery and restoration project, one of the most impressive architectural works of Rome and the largest circular tomb in the ancient world will be accessible again to visitors from 1 March.

"After 14 years this unique monument reopens to the world. It is a historic moment - said the mayor Virginia Raggi -. A few days after Christmas, we are making a gift to the Romans and citizens from all over the world. A masterpiece of ancient Rome, a a treasure of inestimable value that is reborn in all its splendor. An objective achieved thanks to fruitful teamwork, above all, thanks to the support and act of patronage of the Tim Foundation. A significant testimony to the effectiveness and farsightedness of the collaboration between public and private "he continued.

A reopening, in times of Covid, which the mayor called "a message of hope".

«From 1 March until 21 April, the Christmas of Rome, the visit will be free for everyone - said Raggi - and throughout 2021 it will be free for the Romans.

It is a gift that I give to my fellow citizens ».

From 21 December the booking site will be open and "we will be able to organize visits in compliance with Covid regulations".

After the first phase of conservative restoration completed in 2019 and carried out through a public funding of 4,275,000 euros (of which 2 million paid by Mibact and 2,275,000 by Roma Capitale), the enhancement phase of the monument is currently underway, financed by the TIM Foundation with an act of patronage.

The works, directed by the Capitoline Superintendency for Cultural Heritage, will allow the creation of an itinerary that will tell the various historical phases of the Mausoleum, flanked by a path without architectural barriers, in conjunction with the refurbishment works of Piazza Augusto Imperatore, which began in May.

And as regards the interventions on the square, the mayor explained: "simultaneously with the recovery of the monumental part we proceed to move the bus terminus and the progressive pedestrianization of the square to enhance it and give it the importance it deserves".

Presenting the recovery and restoration intervention of the Mausoleum of Augustus, together with the first citizen, the President of the TIM Salvatore Rossi Foundation, the Deputy Mayor of Rome with responsibility for Cultural Growth Luca Bergamo, the Special Superintendent of Rome Daniela Porro and the Capitoline Superintendent Maria Vittoria Marini Clarelli.

"In spring, thanks to the collaboration between the TIM Foundation and the Superintendence, visitors will also be able to navigate through the history of the Mausoleum thanks to the possibilities offered by multimedia technologies" said the deputy mayor, adding: "the opening of the Mausoleum has an even further significance because it connects to the commitment of the Superintendency thanks to which the works in Piazza Augusto Imperatore have started, which should be completed for this first phase in December 2021 ".