Caput Mundi: Torre Dei Conti - Restoration and preparation of the building

Caput Mundi Next Generation EU for touristic great events (Mission 1, Component 3, Investment 4.3)

Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan increases the number of accessible tourist sites in Rome, creating valid and qualified tourist and cultural alternatives with respect to the crowded central areas, as well as increasing the use of digital technologies, enhance green areas and the sustainability of tourism. The investment envisages six lines of interventions:
1. “Roman Cultural Heritage for EU-Next Generation”, covering the regeneration and restoration of cultural and urban heritage and complexes of high historical-architectural value of the city of Rome;
2. “Jubilee paths” (from pagan to Christian Rome), targeted to the enhancement, safety, anti-seismic consolidation, restoration of places and buildings of historical interest and archaeological pathways;
3. #LaCittàCondivisa, covering the redevelopment of sites in peripheral areas;
4. #Mitingodiverde, covering interventions on parks, historical gardens, villas and fountains;
5. #Roma 4.0, covering the digitalization of cultural services and the development of apps for tourists;
6. #Amanotesa, aimed at increasing the supply of cultural offer to peripheries for social integration.

The investment is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility by EUR 500 million and includes this project.
The building suffers from severe external degradation, including disintegration, vegetation growth, and vandalism, while its interior is in decay with collapsed ceilings, damaged fixtures, and water infiltration. The project addresses these issues through static consolidation, conservative restoration, and new electrical, lighting, and water systems. It also aims to remove architectural barriers, create a new Imperial Fora museum exhibition, establish a Service Centre, and develop a tower and hypogeal itinerary. This project is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility with EUR 6900000. From a direct visual inspection, serious problems were found on the building's external wall. These problems include widespread disintegration of the construction elements, leading to the growth of spontaneous vegetation which penetrated the masonry with its roots and contributed to the damage. In addition, the masonry has been the subject of vandalism.

The interior of the building is in a general state of decay. Among the main problems are the collapse of some modern false ceilings, damage to window and door frames, and damage to decorative paintings in some areas, such as stairwells and some rooms. On the upper floor of the tower, two rooms in the north-western corner suffered water infiltration, caused by the detachment of the protective sheathing on the floor. Although the terrace sheathing was repaired in November 2019, the ceiling and walls damaged by leaks have not yet been restored. Despite this, the exedra of the Templum Pacis/Cripta dell’Ardito appears to be in good condition.

Specifically, the project involves the implementation of the following works: static consolidation works; conservative restoration of the building; construction of electrical and lighting systems, lifting and water systems; removal of architectural barriers; a museum exhibition dedicated to the most recent phases of the Imperial Fora; creation of a Service Centre for the Central Archaeological Area aimed at citizens and tourists; creation of a conference room for cultural initiatives and exhibition spaces for small exhibitions; creation of an itinerary for the tower and the hypogeal section.