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Mario Botta to Transform Historic Roman Palace into National Library by 2027

architecture-design · 2026-04-26

By 2027, Palazzo San Felice in Rome is set to transform into the Biblioteca Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte (BIASA), under the direction of architect Mario Botta. This initiative, part of the Piano strategico Grandi progetti beni culturali, includes collaboration with the Presidency of the Republic, the Ministry of Culture, and the Agenzia del Demanio. In 2017, President Sergio Mattarella approved a 25-year concession. Construction commenced in 2023 and is expected to conclude by late 2026, with 350,000 bibliographic units being moved from Palazzo Venezia. The library will encompass three courtyards and cover an area of 6,836 square meters. From June 14 to December 28, 2025, "Cultura in Cantiere" will allow public access to the site, featuring a digital 4D model and historical displays.

Key facts

  • Palazzo San Felice will house the new Biblioteca Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte by 2027.
  • Mario Botta is the architect for the restoration and refunctionalization project.
  • Construction started in 2023 and will finish by the end of 2026.
  • The library will move from Palazzo Venezia with 350,000 bibliographic units.
  • The project includes three courtyards: a main piazza, an amphitheater, and a smaller functional space.
  • The library will have 6,836 square meters over five levels and 10,500 linear meters of open shelving.
  • Public visits to the construction site run from June 14 to December 28, 2025, free of charge.
  • The Sepolcro dei Sempronii, discovered in 1864, will be open to the public for the first time.

Entities

Artists

  • Mario Botta
  • Carlo Scarpa
  • Ambrogio Lorenzetti
  • Filippo Martinucci
  • Giovan Battista Nolli

Institutions

  • Biblioteca Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte (BIASA)
  • Presidenza della Repubblica
  • Ministero della Cultura (MiC)
  • Agenzia del Demanio
  • Palazzo Venezia
  • Scuderie del Quirinale
  • Collegio Romano
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Palazzo San Felice
  • via della Dataria
  • Quirinale Palace
  • Rione Trevi
  • Siena

Sources