Located in the heart of Rome, on the Campidoglio, the Capitoline Museums are housed in a complex of amazing historic buildings, including Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo. This prestigious venue hosts the oldest public museum in the world, having been established way back in 1471. It boasts priceless collections of works of art and archaeological finds from the city of Rome, offering a journey through the history and culture of ancient and modern Western civilisation.
Despite the extraordinary richness and diversity of the works exhibited in a complex of high historical and artistic value, the accessibility of the Capitoline Museums is still an issue for people with disabilities. Although several interventions have been carried out over the years, these are still not sufficient to guarantee an organic and equal visiting experience for the public with disabilities.
The project proposal is divided into different phases of intervention, aimed at overcoming the architectural barriers and providing new contents and support means to facilitate the enjoyment of the exhibited works. As for motor accessibility, the renovation of some spaces and the installation of ramps, slides and stairlifts are planned to ensure an easy itinerary, consistent with the one followed by other visitors.
Regarding sensory accessibility, the project involves the creation of new devices and support means. For visitors with visual impairments, orientation panels will be provided, strategically positioned within the museum, which will give information on the rooms and the tactile and sound itineraries available nearby. Sound cards will also be available to describe the selected works, 3D models of inaccessible works and bas relief reproductions of some pictorial works. This content will be integrated with the LIS (Italian Sign Language) video network already available in the museum, offering an immersive and engaging perception of the works on display.
As for cognitive accessibility, clear and straight-forward guides will be created, which will allow an easy and pleasant understanding of the works and exhibition rooms.
A key element of the project is the integration of all the new content and support means with the web page dedicated to accessibility of the Capitoline Museums website. The creation of a QR code network will allow visitors to easily access content and information on site and remotely, allowing a customised and flexible fruition of the works on display.
The urgency of this intervention is determined by the need to ensure complete accessibility and fruition of the works for all people, overcoming the current limitations and opening the Capitoline Museums to a wider and more diversified public. It is estimated that the implementation of this project could lead to a significant increase in the number of visitors with disabilities, exceeding the current threshold of 1.5% of the total annual visitors.
The project will be managed directly by Roma Capitale, in collaboration with the company Zetema, which supports the activities aimed at managing and enhancing the places involved in the project. Its complete integration into the permanent offer of the Capitoline Museums, together with the training of the staff involved, will guarantee the sustainability and continuity of the interventions over time.