Verano Monumental Cemetery. Spring 2026 cultural events

This spring, Rome's historic Verano Monumental Cemetery can be explored by following tried-and-tested themed itineraries, as well as new ones, to uncover its secrets and hidden beauties with bike rides, and special events are available, for a total of 43 free guided tours spread across nine days. Some tours are enhanced with headphones, including music, spoken texts, or the voices of the remembered figures.

The AMA program is participating in the Week for the Discovery of European Cemeteries - from May 22 to 31 - which promotes the educational value of burial sites in line with Goal 4 - “quality education” - of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The final day of the program at Verano, dedicated to a united Italy on the 80th anniversary of our Republic, supports this goal.

In particular, the guided bike tour, offered for the first time, allows visitors to explore the length and breadth of the "City of the Dead," the park-museum as large as Villa Borghese. Also new is the tour focusing on the protagonists of the world of sport. Exceptionally, witnesses and scholars will be present: the photographer Claudio Pisani on the "case" of the painter Severati (May 30, 12:00 pm); the journalist Andrea Scazzola on the memory of those who shaped Italy (June 2, 9.30 am). Meanwhile the itinerary dedicated to the Seven Arts at the Verano Museum is also accessible to people with mobility difficulties and parents with children in wheelchairs (May 16, 10:30 a.m.); translated into sign language with the support of the Rome provincial branch of the National Institute for the Deaf (May 30, 10:30 a.m.); and promoted by the architecture festival of the non-profit Open House Roma (May 23, 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.).

Special events include E io me ne fregio! Omaggio a Ettore Petrolini (“And I care! A tribute to Ettore Petrolini”); ninety years after his death in fact, Rome's connection with Petrolini, one of the greatest interpreters of Roman culture, remains alive. The actor and playwright's memory is revived in the cemetery that holds his remains in several traveling performances, presented by contemporary performers: Daniela Balsamo, Sabina Barzilai, and Maurizio Casté.

On June 2, 2026 furthermore, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Republic, a day of four events is planned to commemorate the Risorgimento and the unification of Italy, the two wars of the twentieth century, the Liberation, the referendum on monarchy or republic, the Constituent Assembly, and the role of women. The theme will be accompanied by musical counterpoint by Emmanuel Losio (guitar) and Clelia Liguori (vocals) in the morning; live readings will be performed during the afternoon tour.

Full program at the official link: www.cimitericapitolini.it/eventi-e-cultura/640-programma-primavera-2026.html

Photo: official poster of the event