Rome Exhibition Uncovers Medieval Traces Hidden in the City's Fabric

A new exhibition at Palazzo Braschi in Rome, titled 'Il Medioevo a Roma', reveals the often-overlooked medieval layers of the city. Organized with academic rigor but accessible to the public, the show features over 160 works including mosaics, paintings, religious artifacts, textiles, coins, seals, and illuminated manuscripts. A highlight is the original 875 CE Bible of San Paolo fuori le Mura, a parchment volume whose single illustration prompts a reconsideration of pre-Renaissance naturalistic portraiture. The exhibition argues that the Renaissance and later urban renovations—by Pope Julius II, the Savoy monarchy, and Fascism—deliberately erased much of Rome's medieval material history, distorting understanding of the period. Curated by Luca Arnaudo, the show is housed in a velvet-lined installation that evokes a grand display case. It aims to help visitors read the medieval traces still present in Roman basilicas and streets. The only criticism is its temporary nature; the author suggests a permanent version with facsimiles would benefit citizens and tourists.