Rome's Museum of Civilizations Marks 50th Anniversary with Exhibition and New Director

The Museum of Civilizations in Rome is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the exhibition 'Origins and Perspectives. From Luigi Pigorini's Prehistoric and Ethnographic Museum to the Museum of Civilizations: History of a Museum (1876–2026)', on view until June 28, 2026. The milestone coincides with a leadership change: archaeologist Luana Toniolo, previously director of the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, succeeds art historian Andrea Viliani as delegated director. The exhibition, curated by Paolo Boccuccia, Camilla Fratini, and Myriam Pierri under Viliani's supervision, explores the institution's evolution from its 1876 founding by archaeologist Luigi Pigorini. It features historical documents, artifacts, and contemporary installations by architecture studio 2050+ and artist Shimabuku. Toniolo plans to continue ongoing projects, including reinstallations of the Oceania, America, and Africa sections with community involvement, and a major reinstallation of the Asian collection. Viliani, now coordinating the DHGP – Digital Heritage Gateway Platform, discusses the museum's role in exploring digital heritage and metaverse applications.