What to see
The primary complex in Rovereto, located at Corso Bettini 43, was designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta and Rovereto engineer Giulio Andreolli. The defining architectural element is a massive radial dome made of steel and plexiglass, explicitly inspired by the classical proportions of the Pantheon in Rome. This roof features an unusual "missing slice" made possible by complex engineering solutions, and it spans an open circular plaza centered around a fountain. For the wall cladding, Botta and Andreolli selected yellow Vicenza stone—a material traditionally favored by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. These stone slabs were installed using an innovative system that allows for the independent replacement of each piece, making the building's structure an artistic achievement in its own right. Inside, the permanent collection displays paintings, drawings, engravings, and sculptures. It is particularly noted for its 20th-century avant-garde holdings, featuring works by Giorgio de Chirico, Carlo Carrà, Mario Sironi, and local Futurists Fortunato Depero and Angiolino Spallanzani. This core is augmented by public deposits and significant private collections, such as the Talamoni collection and the VAF-Stiftung.
Visiting
Access to the Mart and the adjacent Auditorium Melotti is routed through a pedestrian passage between Palazzo Alberti Poja and Palazzo Annona. A visit to the Rovereto headquarters also encompasses the Archivio del '900, the museum's dedicated research center. The institution functions across multiple sites: in Rovereto, visitors can explore the Casa d'arte futurista Depero at Via Portici 38, while in Trento, a branch of the museum has been housed in the Galleria civica at Via Belenzani 44 since October 19, 2013. Beyond the permanent displays, the museum maintains a rigorous schedule of temporary exhibitions. Between 2002 and 2014 alone, it produced and hosted over 120 exhibitions across its various locations, alongside numerous extramural shows in Italy and abroad.
Our editors' tip
Pause in the center of the plaza beneath the dome to examine the engineering of the radial structure: the missing slice in the plexiglass roof frames the sky, creating a sharp geometric contrast with the yellow Vicenza stone blocks forming the circular walls.