Piazza di Termini: Recent History
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1860-64:
The decision to build the central pontifical railroad station in the area of the Villa Peretti Montalto (subsequently owned by Negroni and, finally, Massimo) marked the beginning of its destruction. The station was constructed in accordance with the plans of Salvatore Bianchi (1867) between 1869 and 1874.
1864-70:
Monsignor Francesco Saverio de Merode, defense minister of Pope Pius IX, acquired the Villa Strozzi (in the area of the present Teatro dell'Opera) and initiated urban development in the adjacent area. This project created a new axis between Termini and the residential center. This thoroughfare was imposed upon-and interrupted-the axis of the exedra of the Baths and the facade of S. Maria degli Angeli (the Via Nuova Pia, today the Via Nazionale), and included three transverse arteries (the modern Via Torino, Via Firenze, and Via Napoli) and one parallel street (the Via Modena) (fig. 5: A.S.R. Coll. Disegni e Piante; fig. 6: from an 1870 map of Rome). The project was taken over by the Comune and completed in 1871 with the creation of the first "quarter" of "Third Rome" (fig. 7: aerial photograph by Umberto Nistri, 1919).
1872:
The Consiglio Comune approved a proposed architectural complex to crown the Piazza dell'Esedra, which had assumed the role of official entrance to the city, via the Via Nazionale, for tourists and illustrious visitors who arrived in Rome by train. Many years elapsed, however, before this plan was put into effect.
1878:
For the return to Rome of the new sovereigns Umberto and Margherita (November 24), a temporary scenographic backdrop-designed by Settimio Giampietri-was erected at the exedra. It created a concave "theater," which followed the lines of the imperial structure (fig. 8: from Illustrazione Italiana).
