Rome's Legendary National Library of Archaeology and Art History Closes at Palazzo Venezia
On September 7, 2026, the National Library of Archaeology and Art History (BIASA) in Rome shut down its historic site at Palazzo Venezia to move to Palazzo San Felice. The new facility on Via della Dataria will span nearly 7,000 square meters over five floors, effectively doubling the existing area with 10,500 linear meters of shelving for more than 400,000 volumes. The renovation, overseen by Swiss architect Mario Botta, is anticipated to be completed by June 2027. Since 1922, BIASA has been located in Palazzo Venezia, housing 380,000 bibliographic units. This relocation is part of a Strategic Plan involving the Ministry of Culture and the Presidency of the Republic, though there are concerns regarding the new site's adequacy. Remote services will continue during the transition.
Key facts
- The National Library of Archaeology and Art History (BIASA) closed its Palazzo Venezia location on September 7, 2026.
- The library will relocate to Palazzo San Felice, a historic building near the Quirinale.
- The new space will be nearly 7,000 square meters, double the size of the current one.
- The library holds 380,000 bibliographic units, including books, manuscripts, and photographs.
- The move is part of the Strategic Plan for Major Cultural Heritage Projects.
- Mario Botta is the architect for the renovation of Palazzo San Felice.
- Construction is expected to finish by June 2027.
- The library has been at Palazzo Venezia since 1922.
Entities
Artists
- Mario Botta
- Carlo Scarpa
- Ambrogio Lorenzetti
- Filippo Martinucci
- Giovan Battista Nolli
- Renata Codello
Institutions
- Biblioteca Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell’Arte
- Ministero della Cultura
- Agenzia del Demanio
- Presidenza della Repubblica
- Istituto Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell’Arte
- Associazione Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli
- ViVe
- Palazzo San Felice
- Palazzo Venezia
- Biblioteca Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte (BIASA)
- Ministero della Cultura (MiC)
- Scuderie del Quirinale
- Collegio Romano
- Artribune
- Quirinale
- Presidency of the Republic
- Ministry for Cultural Heritage
- National Library of Archaeology and Art History
- Giorgio Cini Foundation
- State Property Agency
- Biblioteca di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Palazzo Venezia
- Palazzo San Felice
- Via della Dataria
- Quirinale
- Palazzo del Collegio Romano
- via della Dataria
- Quirinale Palace
- Rione Trevi
- Siena
- Via della Dataria 21
- Piazza Venezia