Augusto Caffè Opens in Rome's Piazza Augusto Imperatore Amid Criticism of Museum Catering Tenders
A new Augusto Caffè has launched in Rome’s Piazza Augusto Imperatore, part of an urban redevelopment led by architect Francesco Cellini. This pedestrian square, which was revealed in early summer 2025, links the Tiber River, the Tridente, the Mausoleum of Augustus, and the Baroque church of San Carlo al Corso, along with the nearby Ara Pacis museum. Situated on the square's southern edge, the café enhances an info point and bookshop that has been operating since June 2025, catering to visitors of the Ara Pacis Museum and the Mausoleum of Augustus, set to be transformed into a museum by spring 2027. The concession was granted to Gruppo Palombini through a public tender in June 2025, stipulating a €3,200 monthly fee and an 8% royalty. The article critiques the tender process for sidelining small enterprises.
Key facts
- Augusto Caffè opened in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, Rome.
- The square redevelopment was led by architect Francesco Cellini.
- The pedestrian square opened in early summer 2025.
- The café is located on the south side of the square.
- Info point and bookshop have been operational since June 2025.
- The Mausoleum of Augustus is expected to be museumified by spring 2027.
- The concession was awarded to Gruppo Palombini via a public tender by Zètema Progetto Cultura.
- Contract terms: €3,200 monthly fee, 8% royalty on turnover, three-year term renewable for three years.
- Gruppo Palombini was founded in 1963 and also operates the MAXXI cafeteria.
- Café hours: daily 8 am to 8 pm.
- The article criticizes the tender process for excluding small independent businesses.
- A similar tender for Casina del Salvi was won by Relais Le Jardin.
- The author is Livia Montagnoli.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Cellini
- Richard Meier
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Zètema Progetto Cultura
- Gruppo Palombini
- Museo dell'Ara Pacis
- Mausoleo di Augusto
- MAXXI
- Relais Le Jardin
- Artribune
Locations
- Piazza Augusto Imperatore
- Rome
- Italy
- Tiber River
- Tridente
- San Carlo al Corso
- Via del Corso
- Via di Ripetta
- EUR
- Celio