Inauguration at Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia 13 October 2025
The National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia inaugurated renovated museum rooms with accessible immersive displays, thanks to PNRR funding, and the reactivation of the fountains in Bartolomeo Ammannati’s Renaissance masterpiece – the Nymphaeum, recently restored and reopened to the public.
The fountains of the Nymphaeum, the villa’s most iconic complex, designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati, once again flow with water: restoring the ancient function of “theater of waters.” to the Fountains of the River Tiber and River Arno The project, financially supported by the company Sphere Italia, is a virtuous example of public-private collaboration and patronage fostered by the Art Bonus.
The new projects are part of a broader renovation and redevelopment plan for the Museum, pursued by Director Luana Toniolo, which also involves Villa Poniatowski, the Museum’s second venue, where work is underway to eliminate architectural barriers to improve physical accessibility.
New immersive displays on the lower level of the Museum house a reproduction of the Maroi tomb from Cerveteri and a reconstruction of the famous Tomb of the Funeral Bed from Tarquinia. Designed as an immersive journey, the route begins with a physical descent into the underground space—a dimly lit, alienating environment charged with symbolism—and introduces the visitor to the Etruscan world of the dead.
The display route of the Castellani collection has also been completely redesigned, reflecting the famous family of Roman goldsmiths and antique dealers who revolutionized the goldsmith’s art during the 19th century, rediscovering ancient jewelry making techniques.
Both routes offer a new model of cultural accessibility, with content designed for a diverse audience and to engage the public with the help of technologies, integrated into the other museum spaces: video guides in Sign Language, immersive video projections, holographic displays, and an animated picture gallery, all within a renovated architectural setting. The clarity and plurality of languages, with a multi-sensory communication system, allow for a multi-level reading, without sacrificing the historical-scientific rigor of the content.
Press release (Italian) below
