Large commercial space on Via Arenula

Municipio I: Location and surroundings of this property

The name of the square refers to the Torre Argentina, so called by Johannes Burckardt (circa 1445 - 1506, Italianized name Burcardo), who from 1483 was master of ceremonies for five Popes. The high prelate, who was born in Strasbourg (Argentoratum in Latin) and therefore liked to sign himself Argentinus, had purchased land in the area, on the remains of the Theater of Pompey, and, having demolished the pre-existing medieval structures, had his own palace built there, called Casa del Burcardo, in via del Sudario 44. After 1730 the property was partially used for the construction of the Teatro Argentina (perpetuating over time the "theatrical" vocation of the area); the tower (removed in the 19th century and then incorporated into a superelevation) although unrecognizable today has left its name to the square. The tower that stands in Largo di Torre Argentina is the Torre del Papito, a medieval tower which however has nothing to do with the "Argentina Tower". In 1909 it was decided to rebuild some parts of the new capital of the Kingdom of Italy, including the Torre Argentina area. The plans envisaged the inclusion of the Papito Tower and the remains of a temple within the new buildings that were to be built in the area, after the demolition of the existing buildings. Following these works, including the demolition of the church of San Nicola dei Cesarini, the marble remains of a colossal statue were found; These findings gave rise to in-depth archaeological excavations which brought to light a sacred area dating back to the Republican era. In the square therefore remains the Torre del Papito now isolated from the original urban context, as well as the famous Teatro Argentina, built in 1732 by Duke Giuseppe Cesarini Sforza, which has now passed into the property of the municipality of Rome. ​