The Mausoleum of Augustus and Piazza Augusto Imperatore are at the heart of a restoration, redevelopment, and enhancement project—carried out under the technical and scientific supervision of the Capitoline Superintendency—which will give a renewed appearance to an important area of the ancient city, linking the monument to the surrounding urban space. The square, originally designed by Vittorio Morpurgo in the 1930s, had in fact left the Mausoleum in a state of isolation, accentuated by the difference in levels between the ancient and modern areas.
The redevelopment project, based on the 2006 international competition coordinated by architect Francesco Cellini, aims to make the spaces around the Mausoleum fully accessible, partly through the construction of two large stepped ramps. One ramp leads west towards Via di Ripetta, while the other leads east towards the apse of the church of S. Carlo al Corso. These ramps connect the current street level of the square to the Mausoleum entrance, which is enhanced by the original 1st-century travertine paving.
The works for the first functional phase of the southern area have been completed, and in June 2025, the travertine steps allowing visitors to reach the Mausoleum by crossing the square were opened to the public. The new layout also includes, in addition to the restoration and enhancement of some archaeological findings, the creation of a large service centre at the southern end of the monumental complex, including a café, an information point, and a bookshop. Furthermore, the foundation embankment of the Church of San Rocco and of the pillar of the passage between it and the Church of San Girolamo dei Croati have been consolidated. Finally, the sewerage system for the entire area has been completed, along with a new rainwater lifting system connected to the existing sewer in Via di Ripetta.
The enhancement of the second functional phase, currently underway, includes the redevelopment of the outer ring of the Mausoleum, with the creation of “viewing squares” landscaped with greenery, visitor paths around the archaeological area, and a new pedestrian walkway providing access to the Mausoleum from the street (north side) to the first level of the monument.
The recovery of Piazza Augusto Imperatore has progressed alongside the restoration and musealisation of the Mausoleum. In 2019, the first phase of conservation restoration was completed, which involved refurbishing numerous internal chambers and initiating the installation of the museum path. The second phase of work, which began in June 2025, will last approximately 18 months and will complete the landscaping around the Mausoleum, install lighting and accessibility systems, restore the burial chamber, and fit out the internal spaces with the museum displays.