Enclosed between Viale Trastevere, Porta Portese, and the Janiculum Walls, in the Rione Trastevere, the WeGil is a real jewel of Roman rationalism, a striking monument on the border between traditional architecture and modern European innovation.
Conceived as a multipurpose centre to house the Casa della Gioventù Italiana del Littorio (GIL), the building was commissioned in 1933 by the Opera Nazionale Balilla to the young architect Luigi Moretti, author, among other things, of the Sala della Scherma at the Foro Italico.
Inspired by the modernist architecture of the German Bauhaus, characterized by linear and geometric shapes, Moretti designed a very rationalist structure capable of accommodating multifunctional spaces flooded with natural light from the large windows and white marble.
In the GIL, strongly geometric and linear rationalist plant shapes alternate with curved and twisted profiles. The rationalist structure gives it a rigorous appearance, mitigated by a more harmonious and curvilinear aesthetic particularly recognizable in the spectacular enveloping of the monumental and daring spiral staircase that connects the sanitary area and the gymnastic area-sports, equipped with gyms and swimming pools.
Inside, the spaces, which lack actual boundaries and closures, are articulated as an uninterrupted flow between rejects, differences in level, narrowing, and expansion.
Between 2005 and 2007, the building underwent a significant restoration, during which the great fresco by Mario Mafai Volpe that decorated the Sala d'Onore came to light.
The GIL was inaugurated as the "House of the GIL" in 1937.
After careful restoration, the palace was returned to the public on 7th December 2017, after more than 40 years of inactivity. In addition, since July 2020, four new floors have been opened to host the Gian Maria Volonté Film School, ACL- Accademia di Cybersicurezza Lazio and WeGil Food Lab - Accademia del Cibo ARSIAL.
Easily accessible from every quadrant of the city, the WeGil is now a multipurpose and multifunctional space suitable for the most diverse types of events: cultural events, art exhibitions, live performances, book presentations, food and wine demonstrations, training initiatives, courses, public conferences, but also small conferences, meetings, and company buffets.
The WeGil has a vast exhibition area, an auditorium, a food and wine area with a professional kitchen, and two rooms for small events.
The Villa Magistrale of the Sovereign Order of Malta on the Aventine
The Savello Park or the Orange Garden
Villa Sciarra
Information
Every day from 10 to 19
Location
To find out about all accessibility services, visit the Rome accessible section.