The house museum dedicated to the renowned scholar, art critic, and anglicist Mario Praz has reopened in Rome following a restoration project by the Italian culture ministry. The museum, located near Piazza Navona in the city’s historic center, where Praz lived from 1969 until his death in 1982, welcomed visitors once again on March 2nd after being closed for four years.
The museum, situated in Palazzo Primoli on Via Zanardelli, houses more than 1,200 items collected by Praz throughout his life. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, porcelain, and precious furniture dating from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, offering a glimpse into the scholar’s personal taste and interests.
In 1986, the Italian state acquired the property from Praz’s heirs and transformed it into a museum, which first opened its doors to the public in 1995. Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano described the newly-reopened museum as a “small but precious piece of our cultural heritage,” noting that “houses often reflect the personal and intellectual characters of their inhabitants.”
Currently, admission to the museum is free, and it is open to the public every day except Tuesday from 09:00 to 18:00. However, visitors are required to make a reservation in advance through the museum’s website.
The reopening of the Mario Praz Museum offers a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts, scholars, and curious visitors to explore the life and collections of one of Italy’s most distinguished intellectuals, all while immersing themselves in the atmosphere of his former residence in the heart of Rome.
