For the first time, the Antica Biblioteca di Trinità dei Monti is opening its doors to the public. You can now enter a restored room—which had been closed for a long time—featuring a painted ceiling from 1693 and a view of the Eternal City. The opening exhibition is the group show *Hypothèse de lecture*, curated by Gaia Bobò and Teresa Ranchino.
A Library Without Books, Reimagined Through Contemporary Art
The exhibition brings together artists from the Italian and French scenes, with a focus on the contexts of Rome and Paris and on emerging art. The exhibition unfolds within a phantom architecture inspired by a library and designed by Belgian architect Olivier Goethals.
The starting point is loss: in 1798, Napoleon’s army took up residence in the convent and caused extensive damage. The library’s approximately 9,000 books were sold or destroyed. The works on display reinterpret that void and imagine a possible rewriting of history.
A place of science, art, and faith. In the 17th century, Trinità dei Monti was a hub of intellectual life: among the French Minims were philosophers, theologians, scientists, botanists, and musicians. The library stands above the church’s presbytery, a symbol of the connection between scholarship and spirituality. In 1693, the Minims commissioned a trompe-l’œil painting on the wooden ceiling depicting the glory of Saint Francis of Paola, portraits of distinguished Minims, and the coat of arms of the kings of France. Since 2003, a restoration project, carried out in collaboration with the Vatican Museums’ workshops, has restored the room’s clarity and beauty.
Practical Information for Visitors
When: through November 7, 2026.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is permitted until 7:20 p.m.
Where: Piazza Trinità dei Monti 3, through the green door to the left of the church.
Admission: free, but an ID is required. For safety and to protect the collection, please follow the route indicated by staff and signage.
Accessibility: The exhibition features architectural barriers and is currently not suitable for people with limited mobility.
Restrooms: Restrooms are not available to the public during the exhibition, as the spaces are located in a historic building and on private property. Please plan your visit accordingly.
For more information, please email secretariat.tdm@emmanuelco.org or call 066792245.
The public program and the anniversary of the sister city partnership
The exhibition will be accompanied by talks and conferences, organized in collaboration with the Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art History,the French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici, and La Società delle Api.
*Hypothèse de lecture* is presented by Trinità dei Monti, with the support of the City of Rome. It is part of the program *70 ans d’amitié – 70 anni di gemellaggio*, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Rome and Paris.
The exhibition is presented with the support of CONTEMPORALIS, Association Amis Art Contemporain France-Italie, in partnership with Carré sur Seine. Sponsor: Casale del Giglio.
