Amazing wall map of Rome,published by order of Cardinal Cesare Guerrieri, was drawn up by the Census Directorate and is based on the maps ordered by Pope Pius VII in 1818 and carried out between 1819 and 1824 after a massive census of the Romans. Guerrieri issued a directive for the numerous hand-drawn maps compiled and used in the citizen counting process to be combined into a single large map of Rome, giving life, in 1829, to the first version of this iconic map. The census map quickly became famous for its accuracy, attention to detail, and refined style that allowed even the smallest details to be identified, such as churches and main monuments shown with their floor plan.
A second version was then published in 1854, adding significant new urban elements, like the iron bridge next to Ponte Rotto. Twelve years later, in 1866, the map was again modified, this time with much more significant updates and corrections, making this the third and final version the most accurate representation of Rome created in the 19th century.
Interesting are the changes that between 1829 and 1866 illustrate the changes in historic Rome: the Palatine Hill, from a simple open area, is now depicted in detail and characterized by its ancient architecture and gardens. Similarly, the eastern bank of the Tiber next to Piazza del Popolo seems to have been transformed from a swampy shore to a modern promenade with a small boat dock.
Many other features of this definitive 1866 edition also demonstrate the efforts made to keep the map up-to-date, such as the description of the first part of Via Nazionale (up to Via Quattro Fontane), precisely traced in 1866. Modern elements were also added, such as the railway lines at Termini that were completed in 1862, while the passenger building, built only in 1867, does not appear on the map. Other novelties include the iron bridge at San Giovanni dei Fiorentini (built in 1863), the tobacco factory (1863) with the square in front named Piazza Mastai (1864). On the left, there is ample space with an index of places and monuments in six columns, while on the right, there is a list of the city’s districts: Monti, Trevi, Colonna, Campo Marzo, Ponte, Parione, Regola, S. Eustachio, Pigna, Campitelli, S. Angelo, Ripa, Trastevere, and Borgo.
“È la più accurata immagine della città subito prima che diventasse capitale” C. Maragliani “Le piante di Roma delle collezioni private” n. 354
