The National Roman Museum presents "Submerged Memories: the bronzes of the Valentinian Bridge", an exhibition project curated by Federica Rinaldi and Agnese Pergola, which returns to the public a group of extraordinary bronzes linked to the decoration of the Roman bridge, now better known as the Ponte Sisto. The materials, emerged in 1878 during the interventions on the banks of the Tiber and long kept in the Museum's deposits, are now visible and accessible thanks to an in-depth restoration and study work that has allowed for a new, complete contextualization.

The exhibition aims to enhance a little-known heritage but of great importance for the reconstruction of the monumental topography of Rome. The choice to bring back these artifacts to the exhibition hall is part of the broader strategy of the Museum to reactivate the enjoyment of the works stored in the deposits, even on the occasion of prestigious loans such as those of the Niobide and the Peplophoros of the Museum, both original Greek works from the 4th century BC, granted for the exhibition "Greece in Rome" at the Capitoline Museums - Villa Caffarelli. The reorganization of the exhibition allows for the presentation to the public of lesser-known masterpieces, but of great historical and artistic value.

The monographic exhibition proposes the display of three works, a diademed male head, a statue of a togatus in gilded bronze, a right wing of Victory. The exhibition is enriched by a video that, with the narrating voice of Silvia Orlandi, professor of Latin epigraphy at the Sapienza University of Rome, illustrates the large marble dedicatory inscription of Valentinian and his brother Valens, and the monumental inscription carved on travertine that adorned the exterior of the bridge, specifically designed to be read by the navigators of the Tiber. The inscription is preserved in the Michelangelo Cloister at the Baths of Diocletian.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a scientific publication already in preparation with the publisher Quasar, which will investigate all aspects related to the discovery, iconography, reconstruction of the places of origin, restoration of the materials, in a comprehensive view of an extraordinary sculptural nucleus.