Rome, May 30 – A disused car park in the Casilino district of Rome has been given a new lease on life, transforming into the city’s first ‘suspended agora’. The ‘Casilino Sky Park’ has officially opened, turning a space that lay dormant for over two decades into a vibrant hub for music, sports, theatre, and food. The initiative, which commenced on May 28, will run until September 30, 2026, featuring international events on the rooftop of this eastern Rome periphery.
From Disuse to Opportunity: The Birth of Casilino Sky Park
The project has ingeniously converted a former parking lot into a 4,000-square-meter public square, boasting zero land consumption. This aligns with principles of sustainability and inclusivity, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be a groundbreaking summer season. Perched 17 meters above ground, the rooftop venue, emblazoned with the slogan “Cevojocrede,” is set to host a rich tapestry of art and culture. This is not merely a seasonal festival but a permanent fixture designed to integrate the periphery into the city’s cultural landscape, preventing it from remaining on the margins.
Proudly popular and ethnically diverse, this unique square in the Alessandrino neighborhood of eastern Rome will be animated by street art, captivating visitors with its artistic and cultural offerings from May 28 to September 30, 2026. The community infrastructure, spearheaded by Fusolab, promises four months of international music, sports, cinema, and stand-up comedy, all against the backdrop of a panoramic view of the world.
A Social Miracle: Fusolab’s Vision for Adaptive Reuse
The concept of adaptive reuse is central to the Fusolab project, an organization that has been regenerating Rome’s eastern quadrant for over two decades. The Sky Park represents a genuine social miracle, having attracted 150,000 people last year alone. The 2026 program was officially unveiled at a special event attended by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It is very important for us that this place exists and plays a role as a social infrastructure in the neighborhood. The peripheries are the most vital parts of Rome, and the work done to redevelop them is increasingly important, and today it also starts from here.”
Other notable attendees included parliamentarians Michela Di Biase, Matteo Orfini, and Vincenzo Amendola; councilors Massimiliano Smeriglio and Pino Battaglia; councilwomen Tiziana Biolghini, Linda Meleo, Yuri Trombetti, Manuela Droghei, and Daniele Leodori; Mauro Caliste, president of Municipio V; and Salvatore Nastasi, president of Siae and the Rome Film Fest.
Dario Minghetti, president of Fusolab, elaborated on the initiative: “Casilino Sky Park is not just an event: it is a permanent community infrastructure. It is a place where the needs of the neighborhoods meet social innovation. Where culture, sport, and social life go hand in hand, a space where we try to build economies, relationships, and bonds. An operation with an international scope in the periphery of East Rome.”
Bridging Divides: The 2026 Program Highlights
Much like the legendary yellow train of Casilina, the project aims to bridge distances-between the city center and its periphery, between asphalt and sky. To achieve this, the 2026 program features a stellar lineup of international legends, the best of the underground scene, alongside cinema, sports, stand-up comedy, and theatre. A dedicated food area will offer unique menus thanks to historical neighborhood establishments.
Major Concerts & Musical Institutions
- The Great Reggae: After a twenty-year absence, the legendary Burning Spear returns to Rome, sharing the stage with Alborosie and local stalwarts Radici nel Cemento.
- Pop & Indie/Alternative: The opening features the electronic atmospheres of Meg, the iconic Almamegretta, and the talent of Martina Attili. Guitar-driven sounds will be provided by MBR and Gazebo Penguins.
- Punk & Ska: For fans of fast-paced music, the Invincible Fest brings Agnostic Front to the rooftop, alongside four international bands in one evening: Strung Out, Belvedere, Authority Zero, and The Corps. The New York Ska Jazz Ensemble also makes a welcome return. The Only Punk Summer Fest and the Roma Hard Core Fest are also scheduled.
The Italian Hip Hop Terrace
Casilino Sky Park solidifies its reputation as the home of rap and historic Roman crews:
- The resident evening Upyard and The Yard event (June 26) with Il Turco and Suarez.
- Live performances by Assalti Frontali, Kaos One, Claver Gold, Axos, and Egreen.
- Sets by console heavyweights: DJ Gruff, DJ Gengis, Dj Stile, and Dj Craim.
- The Casilino Urban Fest, a marathon featuring Vacca, Inoki, Ensi, Nerone, Dani Faiv, and Jack the Smoker.
- Anniversaries for the scene: 30 years of Urban Force and 10 years of Jungle Juice, plus the return of Torretta Stile and the Amorucci evening.
Weekly Formats (Cinema, Stand-up & Theatre)
The rooftop will come alive every evening with fixed appointments from June to September:
- Tuesdays: The “Cinema sul Tetto” series, offering movies under the stars.
- Wednesdays: Sharp laughter with “Misunderstandup,” a stand-up comedy series curated by Cecilia Forastieri and Patty Colucci.
- Sundays: Theatre and acclaimed comedy with an exceptional roster: Andrea Rivera, Claudio Morici, Ivan Talarico, Daniele Fabbri, Michele Vinci, Leonardo Bocci, Alberto Farina, Filippo Giardina, Gioia Salvatori, and Pablo e Pedro.
World Cup 2026, Art, and the “Taste Terrace”
- World Cup on the Rooftop: A giant screen will broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, accompanied by ethnic dishes prepared by local foreign communities.
- Public Art: Inauguration of the new visual artwork “Vision” by Shine, enriching the open-air art gallery of the structure.
- Hybrid and Short-Chain Food: A unique gastronomic mosaic featuring Pastificio Secondi, Fucina Alessandrina, Kurdish-hybrid cuisine, Gyozeria, Grostè, and LabHalo.
Useful Information & Logistics
Casilino Sky Park is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM.
- Location: Viale della Bella Villa 106, Rome (4th Floor Multipark Terrace).
- By Car: GRA Exit 18 (Casilina). Ample free parking with 600 internal spaces on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors (excluding -1).
- By Metro: Metro C – Alessandrino stop.
- Calendar, menus, and reservations: All available on the official website: casilinoskypark.it
Source: Monolite Notizie, Casilino Sky Park, Rome City Council
