A new cultural project brings to light the hidden heritage of the Ostiense district. It is called QX11.A and it is an innovative itinerary created by AAMOD – Audiovisual Archive of the Workers’ Movement with the patronage of Town hall 8 and with the contribution of “La Città dei 15 minuti” of Municipality of Rome which transforms a walk or bike ride into a journey through history, culture and urban transformations.
The itinerary, which unfolds in approximately ten stages, unites the symbolic places of Ostiense through signs on the ground and a printed map. Thanks to a QR code system, participants can access multimedia content such as audiovisual materials made available by historical archives such as the Istituto Luce. Each stop thus becomes an open window on stories, tales and memories that narrate the evolution of a unique neighborhood.
This project allows you to discover the historical heart of Ostiensean area that has experienced epochal changes: from the industrial revolution to the Resistance, from urban transformations to the political and cultural events that have crossed it. The itinerary is enriched with literary and cinematographic references that add depth to the story and invite you to look at the places from a different perspective.
Each stop on the route is marked with a logo and a QR code which offers information about the location and links to exclusive audiovisual content. The route map, distributed free of charge, describes each stage with narrative and cinematic insights to make the experience even more engaging.
Among the various stages of the route, Porta San Paolo stands out, one of the ancient gates of the Aurelian Walls, the entry point to the city along the Via Ostiense, flanked by the majestic Pyramid of Cestius, a unique monument in the Roman panorama.
Not far away is the Piramide Metro station, designed by Marcello Piacentini together with the Rome Porta San Paolo stationexamples of functional architecture of the twentieth century. Continuing, you come across the Ostiense Station, the capital’s third railway station, built in 1940 to welcome Hitler’s official visit, testimony to an era of great urban transformations.
An unmissable stop is the Porto Fluviale, built in 1912 on the left bank of the Tiber, once the hub of port activities, which is ideally linked to the iconic Gazometro, symbol of industrial Rome, with its imposing metal structure that dominates the panorama of the neighborhood . A little further on, the Mercati Generali, inaugurated in 1922 as the nerve center of Rome’s food distribution, tell a story of work and commerce that has shaped city life for decades.
The itinerary is enriched with a visit to the Centrale Montemartinian extraordinary example of industrial archaeology, transformed into a museum that displays ancient masterpieces in a unique dialogue with the machines of the old thermoelectric power plant. And, in this area, you cannot miss a stop at the AAMOD, custodian of collective memory and social movements, which through its archives and activities contributes to telling stories of resistance, change and progress, central elements of the DNA of Ostiense district.
A stop for tasty pleasures is a must at the historic trattoria To the Blonde Tiber, opened in 1915, chosen location for several films, from “Bellissima” by Visconti to “Pasolini” by Ferrara, which with its authentically Roman atmosphere offers a parenthesis of local flavors and traditions before a visit to the grandiose Basilica of San Paolo, a of the four papal basilicas, which fascinates with its thousand-year history, dating back to 324 AD, and with its current appearance, the result of the restorations following the fire of the 1823. Not far away, the historic Radio Marina, active since 1917, recalls the strategic importance of long, medium and short wave radio communications in the 20th century.
For those who want an expert guide, there are four guided tours organized by Roma Slow Tour, a special opportunity to discover the neighborhood in the company of experts.
The scheduled dates are Saturday December 7th at 2.30pm, Sunday December 8th at 10am, Saturday December 14th at 2.30pm and Sunday December 15th at 2.30pm.
Q.X.11.A it is an invitation to explore and rediscover a constantly evolving neighborhood, enhancing its invisible heritage and the cultural richness that lies within its streets. A unique experience for those who love Rome and want to get to know one of its most fascinating souls.