A new museum in Rome: the Museo del Corso

Well, actually, make that two! But first things first…

If you have visited Rome in the past, you will undoubtedly remember walking through the streets of the center, passing by the Via del Corso and wondering why certain palazzos, looking very much like attractions, were off-limits to visitors. Case in point: Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, roughly halfway down the famous street. The most knowledgeable art historians were in despair: the 18th century headquarters of the Fondazione Roma had been designed by a master like Luigi Vanvitelli and were always closed. The Palazzo Cipolla, on the other hand, across the road from the first building, hosted exhibitions of the highest caliber, though sometimes in cramped spaces.

Two free museums rolled into one

Well, these two historic palaces are now one institution! Palazzo Cipolla and Palazzo Sciarra Colonna will be from now on known as the “Museo del Corso” thanks to an initiative by the very Fondazione Roma. This “merger” operation will focus on different ambitions: on the one hand, temporary exhibitions by internationally-known artists, as can be seen in so many museums in Rome; on the other, the safekeeping of documents and works that are part of the Foundation’s permanent collection. Visitors will simply need to cross Via del Corso to move from one location to the other.

Since Palazzo Sciarra Colonna will remain the seat of the Fondazione Roma, its spaces will be only accessible on the weekends, when the offices are closed. And what’s more, for free (admission to Palazzo Cipolla is also free)! You can learn more about how and when to visit the museums at their official website.