Rome’s Piazza della Chiesa Nuova: Metro C Construction Sparks Resident Outcry Over Tree Removal
Date Published: March 10, 2026
Last Updated: March 10, 2026
Applies to: Residents, commuters, and businesses in the Piazza della Chiesa Nuova area of Rome.
Construction for Rome’s Metro C line in Piazza della Chiesa Nuova has commenced, triggering widespread protests from local residents. The immediate cause of contention is the removal of three large, historic paulownia trees, one of which is approximately 300 years old. These trees, long a symbol of the area between Piazza Navona and Corso Vittorio, were situated in front of the Church of San Filippo Neri and are being removed because they “obstruct” the Metro C construction site, which opened on February 25 and is projected to remain active for the next 4,078 working days-over 11 years.
Why are the Trees Being Removed?
The paulownia trees are being removed to facilitate the ongoing Metro C construction. After a robust pruning (which was also contested by residents), the trees will be transferred to a nursery. They are expected to remain there for one to two years for intensive care, after which they will be replanted. The proposed new locations for these trees are Viale degli Ammiragli or an area adjacent to Via Giulia, once that area has been redeveloped.
What are the Residents Protesting?
The removal of the “Trilussa’s trees,” as they are known in the neighborhood (a reference to the Roman poet who frequented Piazza della Chiesa Nuova), has ignited a fierce conflict. The association Curaa (United Citizens Rome Trees and Residents) has filed criminal complaints against the Municipality, and requests for intervention have been sent to the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli.
However, resident discontent has been brewing for some time, stemming from several key issues:
- Construction Duration: The prospect of 11 or more years of construction under their homes is a major source of anxiety.
- Perceived Uselessness of the Station: Many residents believe the new station is unnecessary, being located “halfway between the Piazza Venezia and Castel Sant’Angelo stations.”
- Lack of Participation: Residents feel that the Municipality’s communication and initiation of works were “not at all participatory” and that their proposed alternatives were not considered.
- Disruption to Daily Life: The construction site has effectively “sequestred” the square, narrowing Corso Vittorio at Chiesa Nuova to a bottleneck. This has created dangerous conditions for pedestrians, with only a narrow sidewalk and a 30-centimeter pedestrian lane.
- Traffic Chaos: Bus route 64, for example, now takes an hour to travel from Termini to the Vatican, compared to 30 minutes previously.
- Impact on Businesses: Local shopkeepers are concerned about increased crime, such as pickpocketing and robberies, due to the construction.
- Uncertainty about Monuments: There are fears about the potential impact of underground tunneling on historical monuments.
What’s Next for the Protests?
The discontent continues to simmer. Italia Nostra has launched an online petition for a “moratorium on the Metro C construction,” which has garnered approximately 400 signatures to date. Furthermore, committees are scheduled to meet in Piazza della Moretta on March 12 to strategize and plan a protest sit-in for Saturday, March 21 (the first day of spring), in Piazza della Chiesa Nuova.
Compensation and Future Outlook
While compensation for shopkeepers is reportedly forthcoming from the Municipality, residents are left with the “consolation” of having a metro station under their homes-in 12 years’ time. The long-term implications for the neighborhood’s character, traffic flow, and the preservation of its historical integrity remain a significant concern.
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