MACRO, Rome’s contemporary art museum, occupies a former Peroni brewery on Via Nizza in the residential Salario neighbourhood. French architect Odile Decq reshaped the industrial site with glass walkways, exposed metal pipes and a large red structure that forms an auditorium. Exhibitions change, with past shows exploring subjects such as tattoo art and Sufism, so check the current programme before you go. Inside, look for the building’s architectural details and the distinctive stainless-steel bathrooms as well as the art.
From brewery to contemporary art museum
MACRO is short for Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Roma. Its main site on Via Nizza occupies part of the former Peroni brewery, an industrial complex that has been adapted for art and cultural activity. The old brewery name remains visible on the building, linking the museum to its earlier use.
French architect Odile Decq redesigned the site. The result retains an industrial character while adding elements that draw attention as you move through it: glass walkways, exposed pipes and a vivid red structure that forms an auditorium. Stairs, lifts and passages connect the exhibition spaces and also provide different viewpoints across the building.
Exhibitions change with the programme
MACRO focuses on contemporary art, and its exhibitions can take up unusual themes as well as work by artists. Past subjects have included tattoo art from around the world, Sufism and life in Rome’s overlooked suburbs. Other exhibitions have presented contemporary Chinese art, with QR codes providing information about individual works.
The programme is not fixed, so the current show will shape what you see. Check MACRO’s website before setting aside time for a visit, particularly if you have a specific interest. Some exhibitions may offer less interpretation in English, so the amount of context available can depend on the display. The museum’s changing programme is a better guide to whether it suits your interests than the building alone.
Finding your way around
The museum’s large rooms and interconnected routes give exhibitions room to spread out, but the layout can be hard to follow. Signage and guidance have not always made it clear where each exhibition is or how to reach the upper floors. If you are unsure where to go, ask the staff for directions rather than assuming the galleries follow a straightforward route.
Take a moment to notice the architecture between exhibition rooms. Glass walkways and metal pipes are part of the building’s visual character, and the red auditorium structure is a prominent feature. The stainless-steel bathrooms are also distinctive. On rainy days, leaks have been reported inside, so be prepared for conditions in the building to affect parts of a visit.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is MACRO in Rome?
The museum’s main site is at Via Nizza 138, in the residential Salario neighbourhood.
What can you see at MACRO?
MACRO presents changing contemporary art exhibitions. Past shows have explored themes including tattoo art, Sufism and contemporary Chinese art.
Should I check the exhibition before visiting MACRO?
Yes. The exhibitions change, and the current programme will determine what is on view during your visit.
Is MACRO easy to navigate?
The building is large, and routes between exhibition areas can be confusing. Ask staff for directions if you are unsure where to go.
