Accessibility in the Historical City

Accessibility in a city as old as Rome can be challenging. They were not exactly keeping wheelchairs and blind canes in mind when making cobblestone streets and stairs all around the city. But today there have been additions to the city that help aid those who need it. 

For people who are visually impaired there are many things put in place so that they can enjoy pieces of history as well. At Largo Argentina and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum there are small replicas of the artifact or artwork displayed next to the real thing. This is so they can feel and touch the replica to get an idea of the shapes and textures the real artifact has. There are also tactile paving sections on most sidewalks and crosswalks for those who use a blind cane. 

For those who use wheelchairs there are a few things that help. Some places in Rome there are smoother cobblestones or smooth concrete. This helps to make getting around less bumpy for the wheelchair user. There are also exterior and interior ramps and some locations such as St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. Some places like the Peggy Guggenheim Museum there are even chair lifts at the main entrances.