Acquario Romano

The Acquario Romano is a palazzo built in the late 1880s featuring a cylindrical shape with ornate exterior walls decorated with caryatids, medallions, and pilasters. The structure displays the elaborate architectural details typical of its era, with lesenes and other classical elements arranged throughout.

Built between 1885 and 1887 under architect Ettore Bernich's design, the building originally opened as a public aquarium serving the city. It later transitioned to theater storage before becoming the architecture center it is today.

The building now houses an architecture center that hosts exhibitions and cultural events for professionals and the curious public. It functions as a gathering place where visitors engage with ideas about design and urban spaces in contemporary Rome.

The palazzo sits on Piazza Manfredo Fanti and is straightforward to find, with clear entrance access from the square. Exhibitions rotate regularly, so checking ahead will help you plan what to see during your visit.

The building was originally designed as an aquarium despite Rome's location far from the sea, making it an ambitious project for its time. This unusual purpose reveals how the city sought to showcase modern science and innovation during the late 1800s.

Location: Rome

Architects: Ettore Bernich

Official opening: 1887

Architectural style: Stile umbertino

GPS coordinates: 41.89792,12.50261

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:20