Aspettando la domenica ecologica - Sunday 25 October

On Sunday 25 October, Rome’s Municipio V invites participants to explore some of its most significant green spaces, along an itinerary bringing together nature, history, archaeology, art and memory.

The meeting point is in the northern section of Villa Gordiani, along Via Prenestina, by the plaque dedicated to journalist Mario Pastore, just a few steps from the Mausoleum of Villa Gordiani, also known as Tor de’ Schiavi. The route begins at Villa Gordiani itself, crossing the park’s green spaces and its many historical landmarks, which bear witness to its long history. In addition to the Mausoleum, visitors can see the Constantinian Basilica and the Cisterna Maggiore, valuable traces of a past that continues to live on within the park.

The itinerary then continues towards the southern section of Villa Gordiani, using a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights. After walking alongside the Columbarium on Via Olevano Romano, the route reaches the villa’s main entrance, located directly on the road. This part of the park also contains important archaeological remains, including the Roman Cistern and the Horreum of Villa Gordiani.

Leaving Villa Gordiani behind, the route continues towards Villa De Sanctis, following an urban stretch characterised by wide pavements: southwards along Via Olevano Romano, then westwards along Via Anagni, and finally southwards along Via dei Gordiani. After passing the so-called Tulipark, the route enters Villa De Sanctis, where the greenery provides the setting for an engaging journey through art and history. Here, visitors can admire the permanent exhibition of contemporary artworks, walk past the splendid Mausoleum of Helena, and reach the Casa della Cultura e dello Sport, named after Silvio Di Francia. A short photo stop is planned at the recently unveiled bench featuring a life-size statue of Alberto Sordi, a tribute to one of the most beloved figures in Roman culture and Italian cinema.

The next stop is Centocelle Park, a large green area currently undergoing a major urban regeneration project. Among the new facilities already completed is the recently inaugurated playground, another important element in the transformation and enhancement of the area. The walk continues via Via Casilina, using a convenient pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights, and then proceeds towards the park’s main entrance along a wide pavement. Once inside the grounds of the former Centocelle airfield, the route follows a loop, offering the opportunity to discover a green space that is undergoing significant transformation and becoming increasingly important both for the local neighbourhood and for the city as a whole.

The initiative concludes near the recently inaugurated playground, after crossing three important green areas in Municipio V and encountering, along the way, landmarks and traces of history, art and memory that form part of the area’s heritage.

The initiative is organised through a collaboration between the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Waste Management of Roma Capitale, the Rome branch of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), and Municipio V, taking participants through some of the area’s particularly rich and evocative sites.

The programme may be subject to change.