McDonald’s reimagines Ancient Rome, but is it sacrilegious?

McDonald’s has inserted its familiar food items into a historic location as part of its latest marketing stunt in Rome’s historic Galleria Alberto Sordi shopping mall.

Last week, we saw Lilo & Stitch’s alien hero running amok around a hallowed art gallery; this week, a fast food giant has depicted burger-eating revellers in a mock-mosaic. Is nothing sacred?

The fast-food giant unveiled the meticulously crafted, faux “ancient” Roman mosaic depicting toga-clad figures feasting on Big Macs and fries, complete with the iconic golden arches woven into the design.

The campaign, ‘Enjoy the Classics’, has divided opinions, with some praising its creativity and others condemning it as a tasteless mockery of Rome’s cultural heritage.

Attention to detail

The mosaic, constructed with approximately 18,000 hand-placed tesserae by a team of 10 expert artisans, was designed to resemble an archaeological find freshly unearthed from Rome’s storied past.

At first glance, the artwork appears authentic, blending seamlessly with the city’s history. However, closer inspection reveals modern McDonald’s staples: burgers, fries, and vibrant red and yellow branding. Whether you’re amused or outraged, you can’t deny it’s a talking point.

When in Rome?

The mosaic aims to celebrate McDonald’s presence in Italy, where the chain operates over 50 locations in Rome alone, a city often seen as a bastion of culinary tradition. The company described the installation as a “nod to Rome’s rich heritage,” blending ancient artistry with modern fast food. However, critics have been less forgiving, with one Italian historian quoted on X calling it “tacky” and akin to “slapping ketchup on a Caravaggio.”

This isn’t McDonald’s first brush with Rome’s ancient past. In 2014, the chain made headlines when a location in Frattocchie was built over an actual Roman road, later preserved with a glass floor for public viewing.