Citta dell’Altra Economia is like a mini city of arts, an anti-commercialist cultural venue in the gentrified ex-trade neighborhood of Testaccio. In their expansive grounds they aim to create solidarity among people with a common interest in low environmental impact.
The complex spans 3,500 square meters and promotes organic farming, fair trade, renewable energy and green building. Neò eco-design store was created solely by women and offers contemporary products such as handbags, jewellery and home furnishings made with traditional craft techniques. Emporio concept store sells art works and artistic products and aims to help disadvantaged members of society. Spazio bio is a store where biological produce is sold directly by the producers, creating more opportunity for small holders. The bio-bar Café Boario serves ethnic organic and fair trade cuisine with a cocktail menu and beer garden. Bio-restaurant Stazione di Posta offers innovative yet unpretentious vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes with a full drinks menu. There is also a games room, children’s library, up-cycled bicycle store and many more. To top it off every Saturday and Sunday an organic market sells biological and artisan products from 9am to sunset.
History
The ex-slaughterhouse and cattle market or ‘ex-mattatoio’ was realised in 1891 and spanned 105,000 square meters with a network of large shelters, pavilions and open spaces in traditional stucco and brickwork mixed with cast iron structures. Since 1988 the structure has been reused in various ways and has most recently been shared among initiatives such as the department of architecture for Roma Tre University, Macro contemporary museum and Città dell’Altra Economia. Reinventing the space once used as a truck scale for weighing cattle, organisers of Citta dell’Altra Economia renovated the existing pavilions and yard while building new contemporary spaces to connect the pre-existent buildings along with a stylish steel canopy. The result is a hub of multiple creative spaces in a suggestive historic setting.
Città dell’Altra Economia
Campo Boario (Testaccio)
Entrances at Piazza Giustiniani, Largo Dino Frisullo & Lungotevere Testaccio
cittadellaltraeconomia.org
