The Railways of Italy (1861–2025). From national unity
to the challenges of the future.
Edith Gabrielli, Curator
November 7, 2025–January 11, 2026
Vittoriano, Zanardelli Hall – Palazzo Venezia, Main Garden
The VIVE-Vittoriano and the Palazzo Venezia, in collaboration with Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, have organized this exhibition with the aim of commemorating its 125th anniversary in 2025. Founded in 1905 during the Giolitti era, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has been a part of every stage of the nation’s history: from the world wars to the postwar reconstruction, from the economic boom to globalization, and on to today’s challenges of technology and sustainability.
The phenomenon of rail travel is explored from multiple interconnected perspectives. The visual material, documents, images, and works of art engage in a close and intense dialogue, restoring a sense of the full scope of train travel.
It has a scientific committee composed of professors Francesco Benigno (Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa), Lorenzo Canova (University of Molise), Andrea Giuntini (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), and Stefano Maggi (University of Siena), as well as a catalog published by Silvana Editoriale.
The exhibition is organized into four sections—“1861–1904. The Origins and Development of the Italian Railroad System”; “1905–1944. From Nationalization to World War II”; “1945–1984. Between Rebirth and Contradictions”; and “1985–2025. A New Era”—through which the role played by the railroads in Italian history is recounted.