On the occasion of World Water Day, which falls on March 22, the Capitoline Superintendency offers several events to deepen the knowledge of Rome’s cultural heritage related to the theme of water, also with translation into Italian Sign Language. The initiative is promoted by Roma Capitale, Assessorato alla Cultura – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali. Museum services by Zètema Progetto Cultura.
Tours, itineraries and games will lead to the discovery of the stories of more or less hidden waters in the city of Rome: the recently restored monumental fountains of Piazza Navona, Piazza Farnese and Piazza della Rotonda, the numerous hydrometric tombstones that recall the height reached by the Tiber’s floods, a Ptolemaic water hourglass at the Barracco Museum, the Annibaldi nymphaeum from the late Republican period and, for the youngest, a game to discover the Pleistocene at the Museo di Casal de’ Pazzi, which stands on an ancient riverbed.
The restless Tiber. 800 years of flooding
9:30 a.m., 90′
Edited by Anna Maria Petrosino, Gianfranco Manchia
A visit to discover the numerous hydrometric plaques that, affixed to the elevations of buildings, recall the height reached by the Tiber during the catastrophic floods that the Eternal City has suffered over the centuries.
Piazza della Minerva, in front of the facade of the church
Visit to the Annibaldi Nymphaeum
10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., two one-hour visits
What were monumental fountains like in ancient times? Descent into a Roman nymphaeum from the late Republican period.
Via degli Annibaldi, corner of Via del Fagutale
Time and ritual. A Ptolemaic water hourglass
10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., two one-hour visits
Curated by Alessandro Di Ludovico
The analogy of the flow of water with that of time has been adopted by many cultures, even in very ancient times. The Ptolemaic water hourglass in the Barracco Museum is a testimony that inspires multiple reflections and considerations.
Barracco Museum
The monumental fountains of Piazza Navona
11:00 am, 90′
Curated by Francesca Bertozzi
During the visit, the historical and artistic characteristics of the three fountains in Piazza Navona will be explained, with hints about the recently completed PNRR restoration.
Piazza Navona, in front of the Fountain of the Moor, palazzo Braschi side
March 23
The restored fountain in Piazza della Rotonda
10 a.m., 90′
Curated by Vanessa Ascenzi
The visit provides a chance to explore the fountain’s long history in Piazza della Rotonda, from its origins to the recently completed restoration.
Piazza della Rotonda, near the three-spouted nasone
Along the ancient river: a prehistoric goose game
10 a.m., 120′ (1 hour visit; 1 hour workshop activity)
Activity by museum staff with SCU Volunteers
The Casal de’ Pazzi Museum is situated on a prehistoric river that was once abundant with plant, animal, and human life. After the visit, a themed goose game allows both children and adults to celebrate Water Day while discovering aspects of the Pleistocene.
Casal de’ Pazzi Museum
The Water of the Farnese
4 p.m., 90′
Visit by the Capitoline Superintendence with Zètema Progetto Cultura.
Visit to the two recently restored fountains, made between 1621 and 162