The German Historical Institute in Rome (DHI) is an institution funded by the Federal Republic of Germany. Our research focuses on Italian history and music history, as well as the history of German-Italian relations from the early Middle Ages to the present day, from an interdisciplinary and transepochal perspective. We pay particular attention to transregional and transnational connections in southern Europe and the Mediterranean area.
We aim to promote international exchange and bring together different scientific cultures, especially from Italy and Germany. Since 2002, we have worked in collaboration with the other ten affiliates of the Max Weber Stiftung – Deutsche Geisteswissenschaftliche Institute im Ausland. The DHI operates within a dense network of international cooperation and is a member of the Unione internazionale degli istituti di archeologia, storia e storia dell'arte in Roma.
Our institute considers fostering young researchers as one of its fundamental duties. We offer a wide range of opportunities, including internships and study courses, scholarships and fellowships, support for research visits, cooperation and initiatives aimed at applying for third-party funded research projects.
Our library is open to the public. Its holdings, specialised in history and musicology, contain approximately 245,000 items, 850 ongoing journals and numerous digital resources. One of the DHI’s main tasks is to publish new research results. This service is currently carried out by a scientific journal and several historical series, as well as two musicological series, dedicated to research and editions respectively. Most of the publications are also available in digital format and in open access. Another important pillar are the Digital Humanities. More than 20 digital editions and databases, developed by us and our cooperation partners, available on our website.
The expertise of our scientific staff enriches and deepens the social and political discourse on historical issues: they respond to media inquiries, give public lectures, teach at universities, and organise scientific conferences and courses. We present our research results to a wider public through events such as round tables, film lectures, concerts, guided tours, and exhibitions, as well as through digital services such as podcasts and live streaming.
Our team currently consists of around 40 members. Prof. Dr. Petra Terhoeven has been director of the institute since October 2024, while the deputy directors are PD Dr. Lutz Klinkhammer and Prof. Dr. Alexander Koller. The activities of the DHI are supported by a scientific council.
