Date of tip:  February 2004

Source: Linda Risso, linda.risso@gmail.com

Location: Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Servizio Storico Archivi e Documentazione - Ufficio II - Archivio Storico Diplomatico, Piazzale della Farnesina, 1 - I-00194 Rome, Italy. 

Possible Accommodation: Finding accommodation in Rome is not a problem, there are rooms for every taste and pocket. However, be careful and do not always go for the cheapest option as it can hide some nasty surprise. The best thing to do, if you do not have friends in Rome who can host you or help you out, is to contact the local tourist information office. It is advisable to book in advance as Rome is always full of tourists and it can be difficult to find a room at the last minute. 

How to get there: Rome has two main airports which are well connected to the city centre. Fiumicino Airport is connected to Rome railway central station (Termini) by the Leonardo Express service (35 minutes trip). If you land at Ciampino Airport, you can use one of the shuttle services operated by Ryanair and Easyjet, which will bring you directly to Termini Station (there are also other train and bus services, but you need to change and would waste some time). 

Once in Rome, take Metro A from Piazza della Repubblica, which is in front of Termini Station. Trains depart every 3 minutes. Get off at Ottaviano-S. Pietro stop and take bus n. 32 (direction Tor di Quinto, every 10 minutes) and get off at the 10^th stop, which is in front of the Foreign Ministry. Bus lines, stops and timetables are available on the public bus service's website (ATAC): www.atac.roma.it

Language: All archivists are Italian citizens and although they do try to speak English, their language competence is often very poor.  

Getting started:  If you want to undertake research at the ASMAE, you must be extremely patient and be prepared to the lengthy, nonsensical and bureaucratic procedure of the archive. 

The ASMAE website offers a general overview of the collections, but the information provided is in no way sufficient to plan your research in advance:  www.esteri.it/ita/5_47_186_295.asp#8

In order to access the archive, you need to pass the security control. Because the archive and the Ministry share the same entry, you must have your identity document ready for inspection and have your bag searched by the police. 

Although you can register upon arrival, this is a complex and lengthy procedure and I would advise you to do register in advance. You should send a photocopy of your identity document (ID or passport) and a presentation letter (in Italian or English) by your supervisor. The letter must be addressed to the Director of the Archive (Dott. Andrea Edoardo Visone). You must also fill in a form, which can be downloaded from the archive’s website: www.esteri.it/doc/accessossto.doc

The application should be sent to the Director by post (Dott. Andrea Edoardo Visone, Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Servizio Storico Archivi e Documentazione - Ufficio II - Archivio Storico Diplomatico, Piazzale della Farnesina, 1 - I-00194 Rome, Italy) or by fax (+39 06/ 36914067). NO EMAIL APPLICATIONS!

Opening Hours: The Reading Room is open Monday to Friday, between 9:00 and 14:00. The archive closes at Christmas, Easter and two weeks in August. However, because in Italy bank holidays can take place in the middle of the week and lead to the so-call ‘long weekends’ (which could be as long as to include Tuesdays!), it is advisable to call in advance to make sure the archive is open (Telephone: +39 06.36911). 

General working conditions:  The reading room is relatively small and usually crowded. You cannot reserve a place, so you should arrive as early as possible to make sure you get a desk. The room is comfortable and well lit. There is no AC, and in summer it can get quite hot! The only facilities available are desks, chairs and two microfilm reading machines. No computer is made available to researchers, but you can bring your own laptop. 

There are lockers outside the reading room, where you can store your personal belongings. No food and beverage are allowed. 

Consultation:  To order a box, you need to fill in the appropriate slip and return it to the reception desk. It takes three hours to receive the box and you cannot have more than three boxes per time. When I went there last time, there were only two distributions per day (9:30 and 11:30); however, due to high demand, the archive staff was hoping to be able to have three deliveries per day and the procedure was under review. In any case, please remember that you can hand in you request slip before leaving at 2pm and receive your box the following day at 9:30.

Policy on technology:  Researchers are welcome to use their own computers in the Reading Room. Personal copiers, scanners and digital cameras are permitted, but you should inform the archivist before using them. The archive staff might ask you to leave a copy of your reproductions with them.

Photocopy policy: There is a photocopy machine outside the reading room and you can do the copies yourself after having consulted one of the archivists, who will make sure that the documents you want to copy are not already too damaged. You will need to buy a copy card from the nearby machine. Except for documents already damaged, there is no restriction on photocopying.

Particularities:  Overall, working at the ASMAE is a very frustrating experience. Because the archive opens only in the morning and because it takes hours to have the documents you requested, you must be prepared to return to the archive several times to carry out the same amount of research you could do in one day at any other archive! 

Probably because of the low demand, the Ministry does not provide any facilities to researchers and you will not be able to have a tea or a coffee even if you pay in gold! Once you get out, you are on Piazzale della Farnesina, which lies miles away from bars and restaurants and you need to take the bus back to town to finally have your coffee. Thus, remember to bring at least some water with you and store it in the locker! 

How to apply for classified files: All documents kept by the ASMAE are free for consultation provided that they are at least 50 years old. In special cases, you can apply for permission, but permission will be granted only if it involves documents that are older than 40 years.   

Contact name in case of questions regarding classified files: If you need to further information you should contact Dott. Stefania Ruggeri (Tel. +39 06 36913213; +39 06 36913235; Fax: 06/ 36914067: Email: stefania.ruggeri@esteri.it.

General Assessment:  The documents kept by the ASMAE are very interesting and I would advise any researcher working on the Cold War, the European integration process and on Italian foreign policy to consider spending some time there. Most of its material is still unexplored! However, as I said, you need to be very patient and be prepared to waste (I literally mean ‘waste’) some time commuting to the Farnesina. But after all, you get a chance to stay in Rome, which is an excellent opportunity to explore the Eternal City.