In the beautiful neoclassical setting of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, we reveal all the must-see art exhibitions for the month of May
Still not sure what to do in Rome this May? If you're a fan of photography exhibitions and cultural events, you absolutely can’t miss the shows at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni located right in the heart of the city on Via Nazionale. This building is of great historical and cultural significance and has been a symbol of innovation and development since the 19th century. Designed by Pio Piacentini, it was inaugurated in 1883.
Located directly across from The Glam and easily accessible for all our guests, the Palazzo delle Esposizioni offers a range of high-profile exhibitions to visit and explore.
Here are all the exhibitions you can attend starting in May:
WORLD PRESS PHOTO Exhibithon 2025
DATES: FROM 06.05 TO 08.06
An exhibition promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and the Palaexpo Special Company, conceived by the World Press Photo Foundation and produced in collaboration with 10b Photography.
World Press Photo 2025 brings to the Palazzo delle Esposizioni the winning images of the prestigious photojournalism contest, held annually since 1955 to honor professional photographers and the best photo reports from around the world.
Who won the contest in 2025? The winning photograph was taken by Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times. It portrays Mahmoud Ajjour, a boy seriously injured by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
DAL CUORE ALLE MANI. Dolce&Gabbana
DATES: FROM 14.05 TO 13.08
Promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and the Palaexpo Special Company, under the patronage of Roma Capitale, with IMG and curated by Florence Müller, with set design by Agence Galuchat.
This exhibition is a tribute to two of the most important designers in Italian fashion: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. It features over two hundred different creations, symbols of Italian Haute Couture. From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana is an open love letter to Italian culture—an inspiring muse—with a simple yet powerful concept: ideas born in the heart are shaped directly by the hands.
The works in the exhibition are connected to deeply inspirational themes in the work of Dolce and Gabbana: from art to architecture, fine craftsmanship to folklore, from music to opera, ballet, theatre, and of course, the allure of la dolce vita.
IL FOTOGRAFO E L'ARTISTA. Mario Giacomelli
DATES: FROM 20.05 TO 03.08
An exhibition promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and the Palaexpo Special Company in collaboration with the Giacomelli Archive.
Promoted by the Giacomelli Archive itself, this exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of Mario Giacomelli's birth and highlights the artistic and historical legacy of one of the most influential masters of Italian photography.
The exhibition will be presented in similar formats both in Rome at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and in Milan at Palazzo Reale. It features a large collection of Mario Giacomelli’s works, with 300 original prints on display, many of which have never been seen before.
A special mention goes to the room entirely dedicated to the series I Have No Hands That Caress My Face (1961–1963), which brought the artist international recognition. It features images of “pretini”—young seminarians from Senigallia—running and playing in a poignant blend of the sacred and the everyday.
COLORS FOR PEACE. The Children's Universe for a Better World
DATES: FROM 10.04 TO 11.05
An exhibition curated by the Colors for Peace Association and promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and the Palaexpo Special Company.
This exhibition showcases a language that is simple, direct, and pure: the language of children. Colors for Peace celebrates the universal voice of childhood, taking visitors on a journey through 150 countries via the drawings of children from around the world.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is certainly the Globe, created by children using recycled paper they collected themselves—a fragile yet powerful symbol of unity among nations. The communicative power of Colors for Peace concludes with multimedia content from previous exhibitions held at three Olympic Games, two World Expos, and various global summits.
ALBERT WATSON. A Rome Codex
DATES: FROM 29.05 TO 03.08
An exhibition promoted by the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and the Palaexpo Special Company, curated by Bartolomeo Pietromarchi. It will be hosted in the main halls and will focus on the artistic work of Francesco Clemente, a Neapolitan artist with a deep passion for Indian and Eastern cultures, building his artistic identity on the idea of the Noble Soul.
Here, the artist employs a vast symbolic and metaphorical lexicon to outline a comprehensive aesthetic landscape rich in metaphysical, spiritual, and mystical references—often intertwined with lyrical and emotional expressions of eros—marked by an intense and unique use of color.
Want to experience these extraordinary exhibitions just steps from the Palazzo delle Esposizioni? Book your room at The Glam now and enjoy the heart of Rome in maximum comfort.