Where to see street art in Rome
When I was visiting my hometown last September, I decided to dedicate an afternoon to wandering among street art in Rome. My goal was to add this street art tour to my list of things to do off the beaten track in Rome. I ended up not including this itinerary as I wrongly thought that people couldn’t be interested in seeking street art in a place like Rome where the archeological and historical beautiful buildings are the reason that attracts so many visitors. A group of readers encouraged me to write this piece as complained about the difficulties of finding this kind of information. This article on where to see street art in Romeis dedicated to them that with their suggestions and feedbacks inspires me on a daily basis. I am proposing an ideal stroll from Tor Marancia to Testaccio through street artworks and off the beaten path gems.
Street art in Rome — Tor Marancia
South of downtown and easily accessible by bus, in the humble area of Tor Marancia, it is possible to admire the biggest street art project of Rome. Here eleven facades of the social housing development are covered with impressive murals. Twenty artists from ten different countries worked on this project, called Big City Life, at the beginning of 2015. The results are excellent, and a stroll around the area is a worthwhile experience for every street art lover. With a short walk, you can head to the local art high school, and admire two more murals made in 2016. The first of them, realized by American artist Gaia, covers the façade of the school and it’s a hymn to diversity and integration. The second work is a tribute to a former team captain of football team Roma, Agostino Di Bartolomeo, portrayed by local students in the act of kicking a ball.
Useful Information
What Tor Marancia Big City Life | Where Viale di Tor Marancia 63, Rom | What Liceo Artistico Caravaggio | Where via Odescalchi 75
How to get there
If you are in downtown Rome the best way to reach Tor Marancia is by bus, using line 160, direction Montagnola, and getting off at the bus stop Tor Marancia/ Arcadia. Another option that requires a longer walk could be taking line 30, direction Laurentina, and getting off at Colombo/Rufino.
Top tip
If you are happy with this tour around the urban project in Tor Marancia, I suggest you head nearby to visit the catacombs of Domitilla or the most prominent site of Saint Callistus. Another enjoyable activity in the area is a visit a stroll on the Appia Antica and stroll around the Caffarella Park.
Street art in Rome, via Ostiense
Depending on your plans you might decide to stop halfway between Tor Marancia and Testaccio and admire some street art along via Ostiense passing by Garbatella. This last is a modest area built around the 20s of the previous century with interesting urban planning on the model of the English garden cities. Cutting through this area, you should reach Via Ostiense. Restart your art tour from via Ostiense 122 whit a political manifesto of Blu homaging Alexis Grigoropoulos, the 15-year old Greek student shot on 6 December 2008 by a policeman in a suburb in Athens. Immediately after it, there is the entrance to the Centrale Montemartini. This is the less crowded branch of Musei Capitolini, which I highly recommend you to visit. Proceeding along the way you will find the Gazometro with artwork by Derek Bruno. A little bit further you will arrive to via del Porto Fluviale.
Street art in Rome, Testaccio
Via del Porto Fluviale, the entry access to Testaccio, hosts some incredible murals. The most recent, Hunting pollution, is the most extensive European eco work. Thanks to the use of special paint, air pollutants are reduced and transformed into mineral salts. On the opposite side of the street, the former barracks is covered with a mural from Italian street artist Blu. Walking down the road in via delle Conce, under and after the mixed car and pedestrian underpass, more street artworks are visible. End your tour in via Galvani watching for the works of Belgium artist Roa and its vision of Rome in the Hunting Wolf, and the long wall painted by Romeo.
Besides the street art in Testaccio
While seeking street art in the area of Testaccio, do not miss to visit some beautiful off the beaten path attractions. The first is the enchanting Protestant cemetery where the English poets' John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley are buried. Next to it, there is a small-scale Egyptian style pyramid, known as the Pyramid of Cestius.
In the area, there is also a branch of Macro, the Contemporary Museum of Rome, and several great trattorie, restaurants serving simple typical cuisine. Among them are Felice, Flavio al Velavevodetto, Trattorian Perilli, Augustarello, or the more contemporary Angelina.
While I was doing my research for writing this post, I found a useful article on the official site of the city of Rome tourism department with this downloadable map. I think it is worth sharing it here.
Street art in downtown Rome
If you are short of time, you can still admire some valuable street art in downtown Rome. A first and easy way would be just while trying to catch the subway near the Spain steps. In detail, the metro station of Piazza di Spagna is covered with murals and artworks. Another interesting artwork is in via dei Pettinari 75.
Good to know Even if not updated with the last street artworks, it is now possible to download an app, Street art Roma, that allows you to discover the closes murals.
