This cultural initiative is led by the consortium headed by Webuild and Vianini Lavori, who are working on the Line C of the Rome Metro. It is supported by Roma Capitale and in collaboration with the relevant Superintendencies

Six internationally renowned artists have been selected by a Scientific Committee, which includes representatives from some of Rome’s leading cultural institutions

New, never-before-seen artworks will be unveiled every four months on the silos of the Piazza Venezia construction site, transforming the square into a symbol of urban innovation until 2026

Rome, December 16, 2024 – Piazza Venezia reveals a remarkable transformation, unveiling Rome’s largest open-air art installations to the world. Towering 10 metres high, stretching 64 metres in length, and spanning an impressive 640 square metres, this monumental artwork is displayed on the industrial silos of the Metro Line C construction site. This challenging and visionary project, “Murales: Contemporary Art in the Metro,” is spearheaded by the consortium of companies led by Webuild and Vianini Lavori, responsible for constructing the Venezia Station. Supported by Roma Capitale and developed in collaboration with the relevant Superintendencies, the initiative seamlessly merges art, infrastructure, and urban transformation.

At the busiest and most culturally iconic crossroads in the heart of the city, a remarkable transformation is taking place. This area is home to landmarks such as the VIVE Vittoriano, Palazzo Venezia, Palazzo delle Generali, and Palazzo Bonaparte. It is also located near the Capitoline Museums and the Markets of Trajan. Today, the first of six monumental installations by internationally renowned artists was unveiled for the Piazza Venezia construction site. The artists were selected by a Scientific Committee made up of representatives from some of Rome’s leading cultural institutions: the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Borghese Gallery, MAXXI, and the Palazzo delle Esposizioni.

The first artwork, titled “Costellazioni di Roma” by artist Pietro Ruffo, marks the beginning of an artistic journey that will transform the construction site into an open-air contemporary art gallery until 2026. The project will encourage reflection on how infrastructure projects can transform a city, especially given the upcoming Jubilee in 2025.

The project’s launch press conference took place at Palazzo Colonna and was attended by Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Renata Cristina Mazzantini, Director of the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea and President of the Scientific Committee, artist Pietro Ruffo,  Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild and Vincenzo Onorato, CEO of Vianini Lavori.

"Venezia station," commented Salini, "represents a unique engineering challenge, where we aimed to create a fusion of art, engineering, and cutting-edge technology. With Murales, even the construction site is adorned with beautiful pieces of art, thanks to a cross-sector collaboration between businesses, institutions, industry experts, and internationally renowned artists.  We are proud to witness the transformation of this square into an innovative cultural platform, where contemporary art becomes a universal language to promote a responsible approach to urban growth. It sparks a dialogue on the themes of sustainable mobility. Our Group has taken on an ever-stronger commitment to the communities in which it operates, aiming to protect beauty and enhance the heritage passed down to us. The essence of that heritage lives in the balance between technique and artistic beauty, the same balance that Webuild seeks in the major infrastructure projects we undertake around the world."

Elisabetta Benassi, Liliana Moro, Pietro Ruffo, Marinella Senatore, TOILET PAPER, and Nico Vascellari are the six selected artists who will transform the Piazza Venezia construction site into a true opportunity for urban regeneration. They were selected for their ability to interpret contemporary themes and create site-specific works that reflect the multifaceted sides of the city.

The first piece, “Costellazioni di Roma”, blends earth and sky into a single image that envelops the ten silos. Featuring images of anthropomorphic figures and mythical animals inspired by classical and Renaissance culture, the work celebrates the city’s ability to intertwine science, art, and a vision for the future.

Supporting art, beauty, and culture through infrastructure to create shared value in communities is at the heart of the Group's Culture Agenda. This program includes a series of global events and initiatives, in collaboration with institutional partners. Among the most recent initiatives are the artistic lighting project for the redevelopment of the Crypt of Sant’Agnese in Agone at Piazza Navona in Rome, and the project "Roma Silenziosa Bellezza", which documented the quiet and deserted streets of Rome during the 2020 lockdown, sparking a discussion on topics such as livable cities, new urbanism, and sustainable urban mobility. 

Metro Line C will play a key role in creating a greener future for Rome, as it will cross the city, connecting the southeast to the northwest while passing through the historic centre. This 26-kilometer line, with 29 stations from Monte Compatri/Pantano to Clodio/Mazzini, is being constructed in functional sections. The section currently in operation runs from Monte Compatri station to San Giovanni station, covering 19 kilometres, with 22 stations and a fully operational depot. The next stations to be connected, Porta Metronia and Colosseo/Fori Imperiali, are located in the historic centre and will be completed soon. The remaining stations are still in the design stages. Positioned at the heart of Piazza Venezia, the Venezia station will span entirely underground and will function as a true “archeostation.” The entire first level will be dedicated to a museum space, showcasing the archaeological remains uncovered during the excavation.

Webuild has a strong track record in the metro sector. Between October and November, the company celebrated several key milestones, including the opening of Milan's M4 metro line. This 15-kilometre stretch connects the city centre with Linate Airport in just a few minutes. In Greece, the company also celebrated the opening of Thessaloniki Metro, the country's first driverless line. Additionally, Webuild built the Riyadh Metro’s Orange line (Line 3), the longest line in the entire metro network of Saudi Arabia’s capital. The company’s portfolio also includes some of Naples' most stunning "Stations of Art," such as Toledo and Università, which have won multiple awards, along with the newly inaugurated San Pasquale station. Other notable projects include the Cityringen in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Skytrain viaduct for the metro in Sydney, Australia. In addition to its work in Rome, Webuild is also engaged in technically challenging metro projects in Paris for the Grand Paris Express. This includes the recently secured West Line 15 and the soon-to-be-completed Line 16. Moreover, the company is working on Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East, a project recently secured by Webuild.