VIDEO | After more than fifty years of waiting, the Bravetta-Pisana market opens in Rome

Mayor Gualtieri was also present at the inauguration: "Historic day. Councilor Segnalini: "Sustainable and accessible structure"

ROME – After more than 50 years from the first signature collections, dated 1971, finally the neighborhoods of Bravetta and Pisana (Municipio 12) have their own covered market in via dei Capasso, completely self-sufficient in terms of energy and easily accessible, especially for the elderly. The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, cut the ribbon together with the Capitoline councilor for Public Works, Ornella Segnalini, and the president of Municipio 12, Elio Tomassetti. One million and one hundred thousand euros spent (after the funds were allocated by the Municipality in 2011) on the basis of a project drawn up by the Public Works department. Fifteen stalls, of which 7 coming from the old location in via dei Visconti, in addition to the addition of 8 new operators with concessions for previously unavailable merchandise. The market has a bar, a bakery, a meat, a gluten-free, a fishmonger, a service center, an organic farm, and a non-food laboratory.

Of these 15 stalls, 10 are open for now: “Two are in the process of opening – explained Tomassetti – and for the last 3 we will put out a call for tenders by December 31st. For Piazza Visconti, which once hosted this market, we have a 700 thousand euro project that is about to go out to tender. We expect to start work by summer 2025. One of the premises of the new market belongs to the Municipality, which wants to entrust it to local committees and associations to provide services and set up listening desks. In addition, I would like to make a call for tenders with local schools to create murals on the walls of the desks”. The redevelopment has paid particular attention to the study of accessibility for people with motor and visual disabilities and to environmental integration, through the use of traditional materials such as brick, steel, glass. Photovoltaic and solar panels have also been installed to produce clean energy for the market. The white walls of the new market will be put out to tender among schools to create murals, with a view to reappropriating common goods (by the Municipality).

The works were completed in January 2023, the inauguration of the market was expected in the spring of the same year, then postponed due to new bureaucratic problems related to the connection of utilities. Once these difficulties were resolved, it was possible to proceed with the definitive opening of the market. The entire market area is furnished with benches (a red bench will certainly be installed), flower boxes and street lamps. The project also includes loading and unloading areas and a parking area for operators and market guests.

“I am thrilled – said Mayor Gualtieri – This work had gotten bogged down instead with our commitment, that of the councilors Segnalini and Lucarelli and the Municipality we have this beautiful reality. Many operators have had to work outdoors for years and instead now there is a comfortable, green market, with solar panels, accessible, and that redevelops the neighborhood. We want this place not only to buy short supply chain and quality products but also to meet citizens. This is the first part of a more general redevelopment of the quadrant, where several long-awaited works are underway”. Councilor Segnalini emphasized the sustainability and accessibility of the market: “It is completely self-sufficient in terms of energy because it is equipped with photovoltaic panels and solar systems. It is a market that is accessible especially to the elderly and not all the structures in Rome have the same level of accessibility. This was designed so that it could be easily used also by the elderly who need these places to meet”.