Central National Library of Rome

Description

Founded in 1876, the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma (Central National Library of Rome) was originally housed in the Palazzo del Collegio Romano, where it was the ancient Jesuit library, and was transferred after a century to the archaeological area of Castro Pretorio, between the Città Universitaria and Termini Station. The new building, designed by architects Massimo Castellazzi, Tullio Dell'Anese and Annibale Vitellozzi, was inaugurated on 31 January 1975. The complex was built in reinforced cement, glass and aluminium and covers an area of over 50,000 sqm. It is articulated into four main areas: the book depository which extends over 10 storeys; the office, atrium and areas for temporary exhibitions which occupy a five-storey building; the Conference Room; the reading rooms on a single floor with a broad central gallery. Thanks to the creation of a specific call for tenders in 1970, the Library boasts a significant collection of specifically created contemporary art which includes highlights such as the sculptures of Osvaldo Calò, Franco Cannilla and Pietro Consagra, the tapestries by Afro and Capogrossi and frescoes by Anna Romano, the artist who created the imposing wooden ceiling in the Conference Room.

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