Rome is set to host a diverse array of cultural initiatives from January 16 to 22, 2026, promoted by Roma Capitale, the Department of Culture, and the Capitoline Superintendence for Cultural Heritage. The program emphasizes a leisurely exploration of the city, intertwining art, science, history, and literature through various activities, including accessible options with LIS interpretation on multiple dates.
Exhibitions: Unfinished Art, Hidden Heritage, and Tapestries
The exhibition season kicks off at the Capitoline Museums, where “Il non finito: fra poetica e tecnica esecutiva” (The Unfinished: Between Poetics and Executive Technique) runs until April 12. This project delves into the creative process behind unfinished paintings in the Capitoline Picture Gallery using non-invasive diagnostic techniques.
Starting January 17, the Museum of Rome at Palazzo Braschi will host “Beyond Heritage. A photographic journey between art and science,” an exhibition exploring cultural heritage research that reveals hidden methods, tools, and expertise.
At Villa Torlonia, in the Casina delle Civette, the exhibition “Niki Berlinguer. The lady of tapestries” has been extended until January 25. It features a selection of works that re-elaborate 20th-century art and inspirations using the petit point technique.
Itineraries and Tours: From Mithraic Mysteries to Monte Testaccio
The “Rome, your cultural guide” program continues with the “Archaeology in Comune” series. On Saturday, January 17, at 11:30 AM, a visit to the Mithraeum of Circus Maximus (Piazza Bocca della Verità 16) will uncover the secrets of the cult of Mithras. On Sunday, January 18, at 11:30 AM, an interpreter-assisted tour will take visitors to Monte Testaccio (Via Nicola Zabaglia 24), exploring commercial and port Rome, though this route is not suitable for individuals with motor disabilities.
Also on Sunday, January 18, at 11:30 AM, the “aMicì” series for Roma Mic Card holders will feature director and screenwriter Adolfo Conti guiding a visit to the “Cine de papel” exhibition at the Museum of Rome in Trastevere, dedicated to Cuban film posters from 1959.
Double Choices: GAM, Braschi, and Trajan’s Markets
On Tuesday, January 20, at 5:00 PM, with LIS support, two alternatives are available: a visit to the exhibition “Gam 100. A century of the Municipal Gallery 1925-2025” at the Gallery of Modern Art, or an encounter at Palazzo Braschi titled “Villas and Gardens of Rome: A Crown of Delights,” a journey through urban greenery via views and landscapes from the Renaissance to the 20th century. A deeper dive into this exhibition will be offered by Alessandro Cremona and Sandro Santolini on Thursday, January 22, at 4:30 PM, as part of the “Rome recounts…” series, with free admission to the Sala Tenerani only.
On Wednesday, January 21, at 3:00 PM, at the Trajan’s Markets – Museum of the Imperial Forums, an LIS-interpreted visit to the exhibition “1350. The Jubilee without a Pope” will take place. Concurrently, at the Alberto Moravia House Museum, the tour “Alberto Moravia, the writer and his friends” will explore his works, dedications, and photographs.
Roman Walks and a “Hidden” Fresco at the Registry Office
For the “Roman Walks,” on Tuesday, January 20, at 11:30 AM, an LIS-interpreted itinerary, “The Ardeatine Bastion between history and the Roman countryside,” will explore the Aurelian Walls and architectural fragments linked to the demolitions of 1939. On the same day, at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, a visit to the Palazzo dell’Anagrafe (Via Luigi Petroselli 50) will offer a chance to see “Il Carnevale Romano,” a large fresco by Orfeo Tamburi from 1939.
Planetarium: Shows for Adults and Children
The Planetarium of Rome continues its astronomical programming. Titles for adults include “From Earth to the Universe,” “Return to the Stars,” and “Interstellar – the journey of the Voyager probes,” alongside evenings like “The Sky of Lovers” and “Cruise in the Cosmos.” For children, on Saturday, January 17, at 4:00 PM, the show “Accade tra le stelle” (It happens among the stars) features Gabriele Catanzaro as “Doctor Stellarium,” and on Sunday, January 18, at 12:00 PM, “Girotondo tra i Pianeti” (Roundabout among the Planets) returns.
Source: La Capitale
