Palazzo Merulana Opens in Rome as New Private Museum

Palazzo Merulana, a new private museum in Rome, opens on May 11 at the corner of Via Merulana and Via Labicana. The building, originally a public hygiene office, was restored by construction company SAC (known for Maxxi Rome and Florence Opera House) through a public-private agreement. The 2,000 sqm space spans four floors plus a rooftop, with an adjacent office building for rent to sustain the project economically. The Cerasi family (Claudio and Elena) owns the collection and founded the Fondazione Cerasi, while CoopCulture manages the venue. Director Letizia Casuccio leads the team. The museum will house the Cerasi collection permanently and host temporary contemporary art exhibitions, with the first two opening by 2018. The scientific committee includes Monique Veaute (contemporary exhibitions), Fabio Benzi (permanent collection), and Francesco Cochetti (audience development). The project aims to be a cultural hub for the Esquilino district, engaging local associations, schools, and migrant communities. It will create 20 new jobs. The museum features a professional kitchen for rotating food professionals and a café managed by CoopCulture in partnership with Illy. Palazzo Merulana references similar models like Gaîté Lyrique in Paris, Matadero in Madrid, and Mare Culturale Urbano in Milan, but claims a unique blend of private financing, public restoration, and community focus.