The Project
Museo del Corso – Polo museale
The Museo del Corso – Polo Museale was created by the Fondazione Roma with the aim of gifting the city a comprehensive museum institution that places the visitor at its center. This aligns with the principles of inclusion, commitment to the local area, and cultural promotion that have always guided the Foundation’s actions within the community.
Starting in 1999, when its first exhibition space dedicated to major exhibitions was inaugurated, the Museo del Corso has evolved into a true museum hub. It ideally connects the historic Palazzo Sciarra Colonna—unique for its exhibition and archival spaces, as well as the richness of its 18th-century interiors designed by Luigi Vanvitelli—with the exhibition spaces of Palazzo Cipolla.
Palazzo Sciarra Colonna – Permanent Collection
Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, an ancient noble palace, is now the headquarters of the Fondazione Roma and serves as the heart of the Museo del Corso – Polo Museale.
Its rooms house a valuable Permanent Collection, a collection of works that illustrate the relationship between art and the Eternal City across the centuries.
The Palazzo also boasts a rich and prestigious coin collection of over 2,500 items, many of which are unique or extremely rare. The most significant part is the series of papal medals, ranging from Martin V Colonna to Pope Francis.
Additionally, on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month, the visit itinerary includes the Apartment of Cardinal Prospero Colonna, featuring the Mirror Cabinet and the Library. These 18th-century spaces, designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, are outstanding examples of rococo and rocaille style.
Learn moreHistorical Archive
Palazzo Sciarra Colonna also houses an important Historical Archive, which preserves the archival collections produced by two Roman credit institutions: the Sacro Monte della Pietà and the Cassa di Risparmio di Roma, whose historical and legal continuation is represented by the Fondazione Roma.
These two closely connected archival collections trace the history of the Cassa di Risparmio, whose journey, through transformations and mergers, eventually became part of the UniCredit group. In 2010, Fondazione Roma obtained the two collections on loan from UniCredit and arranged for their preservation and enhancement.
Learn morePalazzo Cipolla – Exhibition Venue
Palazzo Cipolla serves as the exhibition venue of the Museo del Corso – Polo Museale. Built in the second half of the 19th century by Prince Camillo Aldobrandini as the headquarters of the Cassa di Risparmio di Roma, the Palazzo is named after the architect who designed it, Antonio Cipolla, renowned for restoring the interiors of Palazzo Farnese.
The ground floor of the Palazzo is dedicated to hosting temporary art exhibitions of high artistic and cultural value in collaboration with prestigious Italian and international museum institutions.
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