"Hands Off Villa Borghese": Italia Nostra Objects to New Building Next

"Hands Off Villa Borghese": Italia Nostra voices opposition

Heritage groups Italia Nostra and Bianchi Bandinelli have announced their objections to a proposal to construct a new building next to the Galleria Borghese to increase exhibition space. According to the associations, the tender has already been issued and the Municipality of Rome has given its approval, while the project is expected to be presented soon in a press conference.

In a joint statement the associations described the plan as "abnormal and disproportionate," arguing it could undermine the historical and landscape balance of the park. They warned that building to boost tourist flows risks turning cultural heritage into a commodity.

• Reasons for opposition: protecting the relationship between nature and architecture, preserving the villa and park's historical memory, resisting a purely commercial approach to cultural enhancement.
• Stakeholders: Municipality of Rome, Ministry of Culture, Director of the Galleria Borghese, heritage associations.
• Next steps: project presentation at an upcoming press conference; associations have asked authorities for clarification.

The associations emphasize the Galleria Borghese's historical significance as a landmark of the transition from Mannerism to Baroque and stress the need to preserve the ensemble — gardens, avenues and built elements — that shapes the site's identity. The debate now opens between conservation concerns and proposals to expand cultural offerings.