New building inside Rome's Circus Maximus sparks controversy over design and cost

A new service building constructed within the archaeological area of the Circus Maximus in Rome has drawn sharp criticism for its poor design and low cost. The structure, a ticket office and service center, was completed in 2019 after a decade-long process that began under Mayor Walter Veltroni. The project aimed to redevelop the area near the Baths of Caracalla, uncovering Roman ruins and creating pedestrian paths. However, the final building, designed by architect Guido Ingrao for the municipal company Zetema, has been described as a 'terrible building' that blocks views of the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills. The construction cost only €120,000 for 45 square meters, awarded to a company from Avellino that underbid the tender. In contrast, the city later spent €424,000 on augmented reality software for the site. Ingrao defended the project, noting the constraints of archaeology, water table, and sewer lines, and described the building as a lightweight, almost removable structure that could be replaced if Via dei Cerchi is pedestrianized. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between preservation and development in Rome, where bureaucratic hurdles often lead to mediocre outcomes. The article, written by Massimiliano Tonelli for Artribune, criticizes the lack of ambition and vision in Rome's public administration.