All roads may lead to Rome, but what about the roads in the city center? The Eternal City has long been celebrated for its mesmerizing archaeological sites and beautiful landscapes, yet notorious for its nightmarish congestion.

Rome aims to change this, particularly around the Roman Forum, by developing a vast pedestrian-friendly archaeological walk. This walkway will help tourists easily navigate some of the city’s best historical sites.

During an April 2 press conference, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced the winners of a new archaeological park project at the heart of Rome. Covering 220 acres of ancient sites and costing €19 million, the project aspires to transform the Via dei Fori and its surrounding area into a modern agora and promenade.

“It is a very beautiful project, which seems to capture the objective of further enhancing an area that the whole world envies, and making it not only a place of passage, but also a space where it will be pleasant to walk and stay,” said Gualtieri.

A beautiful walk through time

The Via dei Fori Imperiali has always been a beautiful walk through time. This straight road, connecting Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum, spans 850 meters (2790 feet) and is flanked by imperial Rome’s most significant gathering sites: the Forum of Trajan, Forum of Augustus, Forum of Nerva, and the Roman Forum. Historically, this area was the Suburra—Rome’s very first neighborhood, famously home to Julius Caesar—and is now part of the popular Monti district.

Recently, the landscape and charming open-air museum vibe of Via dei Fori Imperiali have been congested with ongoing construction and urbanization projects for the Metro C (subway) and the upcoming Jubilee 2025, a once-every-quarter-century year-long event hosted by the Vatican. This is in addition to the daily influx of residents, visitors, school kids, and traffic. The walk from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum has transformed into an obstacle course, with people having to navigate around active worksites, shifting pedestrian crossings, sidewalk vendors, and buskers. Clearly, the historic road needed some attention.

Rome-based Labics, led by Francesco Isidori and Maria Claudia Clemente, won the design competition with their vision of an extensive pedestrian loop. Their plan includes footbridges over archaeological sites, expanded sidewalks, pedestrian islands, viewing terraces, green areas, and designated bicycle lanes. Labics’ goal is to make the experience more enjoyable and accessible while maintaining a cultural focus.

Overtourism concerns

The prospect of a more cohesive and curated archaeological park in Rome’s center that is entirely pedestrian has raised some concerns. Residents worry that a broad pedestrian promenade will exacerbate hyper-tourism and noise pollution with increased visitors, street musicians, and hawkers, thereby reducing space and livability for locals. Currently, street vending is illegal in Rome, and buskers must have a permit.

“In concept, this project is positive for the city. However, we must be attentive that [the area] doesn’t become congested with overtourism and street vendors,” says city councilor and Monti resident Nathalie Naim.

She also emphasizes the necessity of preserving the area’s iconic umbrella pine trees and green spaces. Over the years, several pines have been cut down, and green areas have been transformed into concrete plazas. “This is the place where you are supposed to contemplate the millennia of history laid out in front of you under the shade of the pine trees. They are part of the Fori Imperiali and must remain in the area,” Naim says.

Wider appreciation for the city’s cultural heritage

Ultimately, the project aims to make Rome’s archaeological treasures more accessible to both locals and visitors, fostering community engagement and appreciation for the city’s cultural heritage.

“Change is always good, especially for a city like Rome where it is very hard to evolve and move,” says Patrick Pistolesi, owner of Drink Kong, a Monti neighborhood bar ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars. “Knowing that this city wants to improve and give more value to its unique treasure is great news for all of us.”

Pending administrative approvals, construction is slated to begin in September.