Traduttore, Traditore
Nolli in Translation

(Project Description can be read here.)
Nolli Analysis by David Lierly

At this point in the future the Romans became so frustrated with the presence of tourists in their city that the new Prime Minister mandated the separation of tourists from neighborhoods in areas with a high concentration of historical sites. Acknowledging the potential backlash of completely banishing tourists from these areas, Roman neighborhoods were walled off to prevent tourists from wandering in. Access to historical sites was manipulated to maintain a separation. The most prominent issue addressed in the area around the Pantheon was its lack of a connection to Piazza Navona.

While the Romans wanted to protect their neighborhoods they also saw the importance of improving the tourist’s experience. A collection of buildings became the path to take tourists from the Pantheon Station to Piazza Navona. This path slowly climbs up and brings the tourist over Via della Dogana Vecchia and Piazza Madama. Access to S. Ivo and San Luigi dei Francesi have been altered to respond to this complex of buildings. The tourist entrance to each of these is not on the original axis of the church but perpendicular to that, on the side of the church. This dramatically alters the tourist’s experience; the shift in the entrance shows the change in the use of these spaces. They are no longer considered churches but as part of the museum. The system of porticos and pathways for tourists come together at the Pantheon. Originally a temple for the worship of all gods, the Pantheon became a church. It is now a central meeting place and orientation point (a station). A larger outdoor space has been cleared around the pantheon and a stronger sense of neighborhood has been established by opening up the center of the walled in portion of the area.