Our historical Archive

Atac Historical Technical and Photographic Archive

Atac's Historical Photographic Archive comprises more than 100,000 photographic items, many of which were produced on glass plates or film negatives. The collection spans the period from the early years of the public transport company's activity, around 1900, to the present day.

The preservation and enhancement of the Historical Photographic Archive began more than a decade ago through the restoration, arrangement and cataloguing of the collection - including glass plates, negatives and photographic prints - followed by the digitisation of the images.

The programme to promote and enhance the Archive has continued through participation in cultural events, the organisation of exhibitions and the publication of books and other materials.

Between 2023 and 2024, the Historical Technical Documentary Archive underwent a new survey and inventorying project carried out in collaboration with the Lazio Archival and Bibliographic Superintendency (Soprintendenza Archivistica e Bibliografica del Lazio). This work has made the collection more accessible and easier to consult at Atac's headquarters in Via Prenestina 45, Rome.

As of 2026, the Archive comprises approximately 4,000 archival units spanning the period from 1885 to 2014, together with a significant collection of historical plans, technical drawings and project documentation.

By formal notification dated 8 January 2002, the Lazio Archival and Bibliographic Superintendency declared the Historical Technical and Photographic Archive to be "of significant historical interest". The Archive is therefore subject to the current legislation governing cultural heritage assets and falls under the protection of the same Superintendency.

Consulting the Atac Historical Technical and Photographic Archive

Consulting the Atac Historical Technical and Photographic Archive: archivi.storici@atac.roma.it.

The application form includes a section where applicants may provide a brief description of their research project, indicating the subject of interest, any relevant time period and the purpose of the consultation. Where available, applicants may also include known archival references or any other information that may assist in identifying the relevant materials.

For research carried out within the framework of university, academic or institutional activities, a letter of introduction from the supervising lecturer or the applicant's organisation may also be attached.

Archive staff provide assistance with access to the documentation and support users in initiating the authorisation procedures required by the Lazio Archival and Bibliographic Superintendency.

The photographic materials preserved in the Archive are identified by inventory numbers and accompanied by descriptive records containing the main archival and technical information, including, where available, details relating to image quality and resolution.