Historical Archive of the Fondazione Roma

The History of the Fondazione Roma Preserved in the Historical Archive

The Historical Archive preserves precious documents essential for reconstructing the history of the Fondazione Roma, from its establishment in 1539 as the Sacro Monte di Pietà, to the events of the Cassa di Risparmio di Roma, which the Foundation today represents as its historical and legal continuation.

Established in 2010—when the Foundation acquired the funds of the two institutions from Unicredit on loan—the Historical Archive collects substantial documentation spanning from the 1500s to the 1900s, offering the public countless pathways for exploration and discovery, blending narratives of major historical figures with those of ordinary people.

The Monte di Pietà, created as a pawn-based credit institution aimed at aiding the less affluent, was founded by Pope Paul III Farnese (1534–1549) with the bull *Ad sacram Beati Petri sedem* on September 9, 1539.

Over time, it attracted notable clients, and the Archive includes documents attesting to pledges from royal families and historical figures. Queen Christina of Sweden obtained funds by pledging some diamonds, as did James Stuart of England.

Even Garibaldi’s sword was pledged at the Monte di Pietà and later redeemed upon his death through a significant payment by Francesco Crispi. The Archive preserves a document marking the withdrawal of the sword, bearing Crispi’s signature.

The Archive also treasures memories of the nameless, such as the glasses of an unknown accountant forgotten among the pages of a heavy register, or the typewriter that, in the 1920s, allowed employees to carry out traditional tasks in a modern and efficient manner.

The Monte di Pietà continued its pawn credit activities, to which savings and investment services were added, until it was incorporated into the Cassa di Risparmio di Roma—a process well-documented in the Archive’s records.

Sensitive and attentive to its historical roots, the Fondazione Roma has diligently worked to preserve and enhance both archival collections, ultimately making them accessible through guided tours at Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, as part of the cultural project of the Museo del Corso – Polo Museale.