Cypress Trees Cut Around Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome for Museum Project

The Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome is undergoing a major transformation into a museum, set to open in 2026. As part of the project, dozens of cypress trees planted in the 1930s on the monument's terraces were cut down in autumn 2025. The trees were diseased, posed safety risks, and obscured the monument's profile. The removal was approved by the Soprintendenza di Roma and the Soprintendenza nazionale since 2020. New, smaller cypresses will be planted. The museum's exhibition design is by Rem Koolhaas, with the surrounding piazza redesigned by Francesco Cellini (opened 2025) and the Ara Pacis museum by Richard Meier (2006). The project has been funded by Fondazione TIM and Fondazione Bulgari. The tree removal sparked protests from local politicians and committees, leading to a high-level meeting on January 13, 2026, at the Ministry of Culture involving Minister, vice-ministers, Rome's mayor, and other officials. Critics, including Vice President of the Chamber Fabio Rampelli, claimed the trees were worth €2.5 million each and alleged financial damage. The controversy has delayed landscaping work. The article argues that monuments constantly change, and the Mausoleum has served various roles over centuries—tomb, quarry, castle, garden, amphitheater, auditorium—before its current restoration.