ROME - The festive atmosphere was palpable as dignitaries gathered on December 23, 2024, to inaugurate the newly transformed Piazza Pia, set against the backdrop of the upcoming Jubilee. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri led the ceremony, highlighting this significant urban renewal initiative aimed at enhancing the pedestrian experience and improving infrastructure for the influx of visitors to Rome during the Jubilee.
Piazza Pia is not just any public square; it is positioned as a centerpiece of urban renewal, boasting the largest pedestrian area in Rome, capable of accommodating up to 150,000 visitors. The project, which took 450 days to complete, involved extensive construction work, including the development of a new underground passage extending from Lungotevere in Sassia. This effort required monumental teamwork across various governmental and private entities.
Meloni, addressing the crowd, remarked, "If we are able to inaugurate this work today, it is also thanks to the method this government has implemented from the start." This 'Jubilee Method' has streamlined collaboration among various stakeholders, ensuring the project not only met, but exceeded expectations.
On the ground, the reality was no less compelling. The Mayor expressed his gratitude for the arduous efforts undertaken by the workers, saying, "Welcome to Piazza Pia... we believed it was possible, and we made it happen." His words reflected the determination and commitment shown by the city's workforce, which included 110 laborers working around the clock, even through significant discoveries such as the ancient fullonica, or laundry, from Roman times during the excavation process.
Further echoing the spirit of collaboration, Matteo Salvini, the Minister for Infrastructure, celebrated the diversity of those involved, stating, "Here, I have seen Italians and foreigners working together: it is the beauty of true integration." His comments highlighted the successful blending of different communities working toward a common goal, emphasizing how this project serves as proof of what can be accomplished when varying groups unite for a shared purpose.
The completion of Piazza Pia shone as more than just another construction project; it symbolized hope and renewal for Rome. Gualtieri proclaimed, "The Jubilee is gifting Rome a beautiful new square... it has required great effort and collaboration." The square features modern elements as well, including extensive green spaces, fountains, and areas meant for resting and socializing, enhancing its appeal as both a transit point and gathering place.
This momentous initiative is part of broader efforts by the Italian government to beautify cities and improve public amenities as the Jubilee approaches. Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region, characterized this completion as "one of the most extraordinary tests of collaboration among institutions," heralding it as a model for future urban projects.
Looking toward the future, Gualtieri's concluding remarks underscored the dedication to maintaining this momentum, highlighting the capability of the Italian public sector under significant goals. He reinforced the belief, shared by many at the inauguration, which is echoed by Meloni: when Italy wants to achieve something, it can do so efficiently and effectively.
Piazza Pia stands today not only as a physical transformation of urban space but as a beacon of hope and unity, exemplifying what can be achieved through collaboration and resilient spirit—an inspiration for Rome as it embarks on its next chapter with the Jubilee.