Archivio di Stato di Roma State Archives of Rome

Overview

The Archivio di Stato di Roma (State Archives of Rome) is the official repository for public records and archives of the city of Rome, preserving materials from the Papal States and the city of Rome from the 9th century to the present. Since 1936, it has been housed in the monumental complex of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, the ancient seat of the University of Rome (Studium Urbis), established by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303.

History and Founding

The archive was formally founded on December 30, 1871, following the unification of Italy, with the task of conserving the records of the central bodies of the Pontifical State, Roman notarial and judicial deeds up to Italian unification, and the records of state offices based in Rome and its province. Some funds, including records of the State Secretariat, were excluded and transferred to the Vatican Secret Archive. Initially, the archive also functioned as the central archive of the new Italian state, a role later assumed by the Archivio Centrale dello Stato (established 1875). The archive has been located in the Complesso di Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza since 1936; a branch office at Via di Galla Placidia 93 has been in operation since 1997.

Collections and Holdings

The archive's holdings encompass records from the Pontifical State's central bodies, Roman notarial and judicial documents from before 1871, and records of Rome's prefecture, police headquarters, civil engineers, and judicial offices. The archive holds approximately 20,000 parchments, the oldest of which dates to 883. Notable holdings include records of Roman hospitals, religious corporations, brotherhoods, and thousands of notarial protocols. A specialized library of approximately 76,000 items is maintained on-site. A comprehensive online catalogue is available through the xDams platform.

Notable Materials for Journalism and Media Research

The archive holds records of the Prefecture (Gabinetto della Prefettura di Roma) and Police Headquarters (Questura) up to 1910 and 1945 respectively, documenting surveillance of press and political activities relevant to media history in modern Rome.

Access and Usage

The study hall (reading room) is open Monday through Friday, 09:00–18:00. Numerous traditional and digital finding aids are available on-site. Researchers should contact the archive to arrange access to specific fonds.