MuseumWeek 2025
June 3 | #MovementMW
Day 2 of #MuseumWeek2025!
Let’s move together with #MovementMW — from migration stories to dance, from scientific progress to sustainable transport.
Share how movement shapes your collections, communities, and ideas.
Bonus: It’s also World Bicycle Day!
Cobblestone (sampietrini) paving, although often associated with various challenges in modern urban mobility, can still contribute to movement in large cities, especially in certain contexts and conditions.
Historically, sampietrini were introduced to facilitate the passage of carriages and carts, providing a uniform and compact surface that could be smoothed by the friction of these vehicles. Their widespread use in Rome began in the 18th century, eventually covering much of the city.
However, with the rise of modern vehicular traffic—especially heavy and high-speed vehicles—sampietrini have shown several limitations:
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They are considered hazardous for scooters and bicycles due to their uneven surface and can become slippery when wet.
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They are notorious for damaging car and bus suspensions.
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Heavy traffic can lead to wear, ruts, and depressions that compromise road safety.
For this reason, high-traffic roads like Via Nazionale, which sees heavy public and private transit, including trucks, are being converted from cobblestone to asphalt. -
If not maintained, sampietrini can lead to potholes. Small gaps between the stones can also catch and damage shoes.
Despite these issues, it’s important to note that many of the challenges associated with sampietrini stem not from the material itself but from poor workmanship and inadequate sublayers.
When properly laid using traditional methods that blend aesthetics and functionality, sampietrini can effectively withstand vehicle stress.
A well-constructed subbase can also prevent vibrations from affecting nearby buildings—even on busy roads paved with sampietrini, such as Via Petroselli.
With proper maintenance, sampietrini can remain fully functional for modern traffic needs.
Rome’s “Sampietrini Plan” recognizes the historical and cultural value of sampietrini while aiming to balance this heritage with the city’s evolving needs, including safety and mobility.
The plan includes differentiated interventions based on the function of urban areas:
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Sampietrini will be preserved and reused primarily in alleyways and squares in the historic center, especially in areas with predominantly pedestrian use. In these contexts, they enhance the landscape and urban history while supporting pedestrian movement.
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The plan also promotes the enhancement of pedestrian-priority routes by repaving them with cobblestones, reusing stones removed from other streets.
In summary, sampietrini paving can support movement in large cities—primarily in limited-traffic or pedestrian zones—where their historical and aesthetic value aligns with slower, more sustainable mobility.
For major arteries with intense vehicle flow, asphalt is often preferred for functional and safety reasons. However, correct installation and traditional maintenance techniques could make sampietrini more resilient even under modern traffic pressures.