Colosseo–Fori Imperiali Station

In her novel Middlemarch, the writer George Eliot famously described Rome as ‘the city of visible history’. Here, the past is everywhere: a palimpsest of time revealed both above and below street level. The Colosseo–Fori Imperiali Metro station is situated at the heart of this unique ancient urban landscape.

Located near world-famous landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Imperial Fora, the station is part of a living museum, and consequently the construction of the Metro system here has required a sensitive integration of modern public infrastructure with archaeological heritage. 

Colosseo–Fori station has been designed with designated areas created to exhibit some of the many archaeological finds uncovered during construction. This approach celebrates the memory of place, and embeds this as a fundamental part of the station’s identity. 

Archaeological discoveries in the vicinity include relics and remains from both the late Republican and early Imperial ages. The area has many ancient groundwater wells and shafts, along with remnants of architectural structures. Excavations have also yielded a rich array of artifacts: ritual objects, marble busts, fresco fragments, stone bathtubs, glass-ware, amphorae, coins and jewelry. Collectively, these objects provide glimpses of everyday life and ritual activities thousands of years past.

Goppion was commissioned to design and fabricate three highly specialized museum display cases to house and protect three ancient vases discovered during the tunnel excavation works. The intervention required a rigorous, highly engineered conservation approach. The result is a display solution that fully meets international museological standards, but is also specifically adapted to the complex setting of an underground metro infrastructure.

The custom-built cylindrical showcases, each measuring 5.3 meters in height, are composed of three curved laminated glass panels joined to form a continuous shell. One of the glass panels is mounted on a hinge to allow secure access to the display chamber. The system guarantees not only high airtightness (0.1 AER), but also passive protection from external agents, microclimatic fluctuations, and accidental contamination.

The design also includes an internal tubular metal structure connecting floor and ceiling, which ensures the stability of the entire system. Because the display case is anchored to two structurally independent surfaces, a mechanical damping ring was engineered to compensate for any differential deflection between the upper and lower slabs, preventing stress that could compromise the integrity of the glass.

One of the three vases is displayed in suspension, using a custom internal mounting system that balances aesthetics, visibility, and maximum stability while minimizing points of contact. Lighting is provided externally and calibrated to avoid interfering with internal thermo-hygrometric conditions. This ensures optimal readability without compromising the conservation of the displayed materials.

The presence of these showcases within the station is not merely an aesthetic enhancement. It is also a practical act of preventive and accessible conservation — protecting heritage while returning it to the public in its place of origin.

This project demonstrates how collaboration between engineering, exhibition design and archaeology can produce sustainable, secure and culturally meaningful solutions. It is a highly effective example of how an urban transit hub can be transformed into a public space that has added value and cultural resonance. 

Future developments and extensions of the Metro line promise more in-station museums and displays, preserving and showcasing discoveries for public appreciation, and a deeper sense of connection with the storied history of Rome.