MACRO and Rome's Creative Awakening
Rome's most vital contemporary art museum reopens in December with an ambitious new artistic vision and a full season dedicated entirely to the Eternal City itself. From December 11, 2025 through April 6, 2026, the MACRO presents four concurrent exhibitions collectively titled "Cara Città (abbracciami)"—addressing Rome directly, as though the city itself were alive and responding to the energy of its own artistic community.
A Museum Reimagined for Contemporary Rome
Under the artistic direction of Cristiana Perrella, the MACRO reopens as a fundamentally transformed institution. Rather than functioning as a conventional exhibition space, the museum now operates as what Perrella describes as a "flexible and receptive organism that breathes with the city and returns its rhythm, contradictions, and possibilities." The reopening marks the beginning of a new curatorial philosophy where exhibitions coexist with daily programming spanning visual arts, music, cinema, and urban discourse.
The four exhibitions that open simultaneously create a comprehensive portrait of Rome's artistic scene. These shows reveal a city where artistic energy flows across multiple disciplines, where young and established practitioners generate continuous creative transformation, and where cultural vitality emerges from unexpected intersections of art forms.
Four Exhibitions Exploring Roman Creativity
UNAROMA, curated by Cristiana Perrella and Luca Lo Pinto (the museum's previous director), operates through December 11, 2025 to April 6, 2026. This collective exhibition presents a comprehensive view of Rome's contemporary artistic landscape, capturing the city's hybrid scene through works by multiple artists whose practices collectively define what it means to create art in Rome today.
One Day You'll Understand celebrates twenty-five years of the legendary Dissonanze festival, running from December 11 to March 22, 2026. Between 2000 and 2010, Dissonanze transformed Rome into an international nexus for electronic music, digital culture, and experimental art. This exhibition traces that transformative moment through documentation, recordings, and artworks that emerged from the festival's pioneering vision.
Jonathas de Andrade's "Sorelle senza nome" (Sisters Without Name) runs through April 6, 2026, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and human connection through photography and installation. Curated by Cristiana Perrella in collaboration with Conciliazione 5 and Fondazione In Between Art Film, the exhibition brings an international perspective to contemporary practice.
Abitare le rovine del presente (Inhabiting the Ruins of the Present) runs through March 22, 2026, presenting architectural and urban interventions. Curated by Giulia Fiocca and Lorenzo Romito of the collective Stalker, this exhibition draws from the Austria Pavilion project at the 2025 Architecture Biennale, questioning how contemporary practitioners imagine and transform urban spaces.
A Former Industrial Complex Becomes Cultural Space
The MACRO occupies a remarkable building complex originally constructed for the Peroni brewery company in 1912. Designed by architect Gustavo Giovannoni, the structures initially served as stables and storage facilities for the brewery's operations. The industrial complex remained active until 1971 when Peroni relocated production elsewhere. After decades of abandonment, the Roman municipality began restoration efforts in the late 1970s, ultimately assigning the complex to cultural use.
By 2002, the restored complex opened as the MACRO, retaining visual traces of its industrial past while accommodating contemporary exhibitions and programs. Architect Odile Decq's renovation work preserved the original character while installing modern systems necessary for museum operations. Today, the rough concrete surfaces, soaring industrial spaces, and exposed structural elements create an atmosphere entirely distinct from traditional neoclassical museum buildings.
Hours and Admission Information
The MACRO operates Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 to 19:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. The museum closes Monday. The last admission occurs 30 minutes before closing time. All exhibitions during the special season remain accessible during these regular hours.
Standard admission costs €6.00 for adults, with reduced rates of €4.00 available for visitors ages 7 to 26, those over 65, active teachers, journalists with valid credentials, students, and groups of ten or more with advance reservations. Admission is completely free for children under 6, all visitors on Tuesdays, individuals with verified disabilities and one accompanying person, and those earning below €15,000 annually (proof required).
For the most current information on admission prices and operating hours, please verify directly on the official website before your visit, as these details may change seasonally.
Location and How to Reach MACRO
The MACRO is located at Via Nizza, 138 in Rome's Salario-Nomentano district, situated between Villa Borghese and Villa Torlonia in the city center. The neighborhood combines quiet residential character with proximity to major cultural destinations. Metro Line B stops at Castro Pretorio station, approximately a 12-minute walk from the museum. Multiple bus lines serve the area, including routes 60, 61, 62, 63, 82, 84, 86, 87, 100, 105, 160, 223, 310, 314, 319, and 345.
Street parking in central Rome remains challenging during peak periods. Several parking facilities operate in the immediate vicinity, though advance research of current availability is recommended. The Salario neighborhood, while less famous than central landmarks, offers a more intimate Roman atmosphere with excellent local restaurants and galleries within walking distance of the museum.
Special Inaugural Weekend
The exhibitions feature free admission for all visitors on the inaugural weekend of December 12, 13, and 14, 2025. This special opening celebration provides an ideal opportunity for international visitors to experience the MACRO's reimagined vision without admission charges during the holiday season.
Learn More
For complete information about special programs, guided tours, film screenings, concerts, and exhibitions, contact the museum at +39 06 696271 or visit the official website.
Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org
