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Ostiense - Garbatella - S.Paolo
The Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome, the second largest after St. Peter’s.
The Centrale Montemartini is a fine example of the successful reconversion of an industrial archaeological building into a major museum.
"Wonderful place. Messenger of stone. Heavenly music. Dark presences. What you are looking for is at the English, the Artists and the Poets’ cemetery."
What is an Egyptian-style pyramid doing in the heart of Rome?
For quite a few years now the district of Garbatella has ben turned into a real movie set. Many famous directors, such as Nanni Moretti and Ferzan Ozpetek, have opted to shoot on location here.
Industrial archaeology and popular tradition perfectly blend in the Ostiense district, which was indeed an industrial area in the early years of the last year.
The Centrale Montemartini is also to be found here. Opened in 1912, it was converted into an art museum for sculptures arriving from the Capitoline Museums. Still moving down along the Via Ostiense, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls gradually unfurls before our eyes.
Arising among the buildings of Ostiense is the cylindrical Gasometro, a location which Film Director Ferzan Ozpetek has fondly adopted.
A metro ride and we have arrived at Garbatella, the youngest of the historic districts, built in the Twenties and made famous by Director and Actor Nanni Moretti’s driving his moped through its streets in “Caro Diario”. It is the perfect spot for a walk through the gardens encompassing small distinctive villas, buildings and historical sites such as the Palladium, once a cinema and today a theatre.
