Located in the elegant and peaceful Via Omero, just beside Villa Borghese, the Academia Belgica is a public benefit foundation dedicated to research, creation, and the organisation of cultural and scientific initiatives.
The institution, part of the International Union of Institutes of Archaeology, History, and Art History in Rome, hosts Belgian researchers and artists. It promotes cultural dialogue between Italy and Belgium, as well as exchanges between international academic institutions in Italy.
Knowledge stories: the Academia Belgica over time
The academy's cultural roots date back to the beginning of the last century, with the establishment of a Belgian cultural institute in the heart of the Eternal City. Thus, in 1902, the Belgian Historical Institute in Rome, which focused on the study of Belgium and its relations with Italy and, above all, with Rome, was founded.
In 1930, at the time of the marriage between Princess Marie-José of Belgium, later the last queen of Italy, and Prince Umberto di Savoia, a significant initiative took shape: the princess decided to use part of the funds subscribed by the Belgian population as a wedding gift to create the Princess Marie-José National Foundation. At the same time, the idea of a brilliant cultural project originated from that vision: the Academia Belgica to promote dialogue in science and culture between Italy and Belgium and to host Belgian artists and researchers in a Roman residence.
For more than seven decades, the Academia pursued its aims in synergy with the Belgian Historical Institute in Rome and the Princess Marie-José National Foundation until 2017, when the three institutions merged their missions into a single path: the Academia Belgica, a centre for History, Arts, and Sciences in Rome.
Inspiring architecture: the elegant impressiveness of the Academia Belgica
Built between 1937 and 1939, to the design of architects Gino Cipriani, who had already worked on the design of the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (KNIR), and the Belgian Jean Hendrickx-Van den Bosch, the majestic building was inaugurated in 1939 in the presence of Princess Marie-José of Belgium and Prince Umberto di Savoia.
Immersed in a green and peaceful scenario, housing prestigious academies and museums such as the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea and the ETRU - National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, the Academia Belgica's spaces underwent major renovation work, carried out in several stages - the first interventions from its creation in 1997, and later from 2002 to 2007. The structure is a sober and elegant building, a fine architectural example combining harmoniously modernist essentiality and Art Deco refinement. The interior, reflecting Italy and Belgium's taste and tradition, features various rooms, an atelier for artists, conference and meeting rooms and a reception hall.
The valuable historical library preserves more than 80,000 volumes mainly focused on humanistic fields, such as archaeology, history of art and architecture, and religion. It also holds Belgian, Italian and international scientific journals, a collection of antique books and several collections from eminent Belgian scholars. Among them are Franz Cumont, Henri Pirenne, Pierre Bautier, Fernand De Visscher, Joseph Mertens, Cécile Dulière and Nicole Dacos.
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Information
For opening times and visiting condition, please check the contacts.
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Location
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