Mausoleum of Augustus reopened today. Raggi: First visit dedicated to citizens affected by crisis

The Mausoleum of Augustus, the largest circular tomb in the ancient world and a symbol of the architectural magnificence of Romanity, reopens to the public and becomes accessible again to all from today.

The first official day of visitation was christened this morning by Mayor Virginia Raggi, who wanted to share it with representatives of the categories of citizens particularly affected by the aftermath of the pandemic: shopkeepers and sales clerks, bartenders, restaurateurs, laid-off workers, doctors, nurses, Civil Defense volunteers and priests, always on the front line to provide support during the emergency, and finally students and professors from the Capitoline Vocational Training Centers.

The Mausoleum has been closed since 2007 for archaeological investigations prior to the implementation of the major 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 give back to the whole world after so many years of closure,” said Mayor Raggi. “We have worked on this milestone with commitment and tenacity, supported by the patronage of the TIM Foundation, which has allowed us to give a beautiful gift to citizens, with the generosity of enlightened entrepreneurship, sensitive to the immeasurable value of our historical, artistic and cultural heritage. This first day of visitation is an important symbol of a restart for the city and 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 its citizens.”

Also present at the opening of the tours to the public were TIM Foundation President Salvatore Rossi, Councillor for Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Andrea Coia, Roma Capitale Councillor for Cultural Growth Lorenza Fruci, Special Superintendent of Rome Daniela Porro, Capitoline Superintendent Maria Vittoria Marini Clarelli, Director of Monumental Building Antonello Fatello and Capitoline Museums Director Claudio Parisi Presicce.

“We are proud to have worked together with Roma Capitale for the recovery of one of the most important sites of the world’s archaeology,” commented Salvatore Rossi, President of Fondazione TIM. “Fondazione TIM immediately joined the project to restore and enhance the Mausoleum of Augustus, committing a total of 8 million euros, to breathe new life into what we think will be one of the most visited sites in the world. It is important that private patrons also collaborate to preserve and promote the country’s historical and cultural heritage; this is one of the goals of the TIM Foundation. We are doing this by providing not only money but also technology: we will give citizens and tourists an innovative multimedia experience, which will make the visit to the Mausoleum even more fascinating and spectacular.”

Until April 21, 2021, the Mausoleum can be visited free of charge by everyone, the day on which Rome’s “Christmas” is celebrated. Reservations, which are already sold out, will again be possible from March 1 (for the period from April 22 to June 30) at www.mausoleodiaugusto.it, where you can also pre-purchase admission tickets.

From April 22 and throughout 2021, access will always remain free of charge for Rome residents, while it will be charged for nonresidents, according to the rates set for the current year (€4 full; €3 reduced + €1 presale).

Visits will last about 50 minutes and will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.), in compliance with the current Prime Minister’s Decree, which stipulates the closure of cultural sites on weekends. Those booked on Saturday and Sunday will be contacted and relocated to other dates.

In addition, starting April 22, 2021, the visit to the Mausoleum will be enriched with digital content, in virtual and augmented reality, created by the TIM Foundation.

After the first phase of conservative restoration completed in 2019 and carried out thanks to 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 thanks to the allocation provided by the TIM Foundation.

Thanks to the restoration work on the Mausoleum carried out so far, with the arrangement of numerous internal concameras and the start of the museum itinerary, it has been possible to bring forward to March 2021 the enjoyment of the monument with respect to the planned terms for the completion of the musealization works. Even with the construction site in progress, in fact, the public will be able to tour the central area and access the spaces safely.

Mausoleum of Augustus reopened today. Raggi: First visit dedicated to citizens affected by crisis

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