The Auditorium Parco della Musica is a large complex in Rome that focuses mostly on music concerts but also includes an art gallery, a book store and hosts several important yearly events such as the Rome Film Festival and the Libri Come literary festival. It was designed by Renzo Piano.
Auditorium Parco Della Musica Rome
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Viale Pietro De Coubertin, 30 – Rome. Tel:+39 06 80241281 (information). Tel: 892 101 or +39 060608 (tickets). Roma Pass holders have a 15% discount on concerts and theatrical events. Public transport: Bus 53, 168, 910, 982; tram 2; train Roma Nord (stop Euclide).
History and description
The multi-purpose Auditorium Parco della Musica complex was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano and was inaugurated on December 21, 2002. From an architectural point of view it is considered the most important building constructed in Rome since the beginning of the 1960’s.
There are three main halls, called the Sala Santa Cecilia, which is the biggest one and used mostly for symphonic music, the Sala Sinopoli (symphonic and chamber music) and the Sala Petrassi, the smallest one of the three, and apart from these, several smaller spaces.
The 3000 square meter “parking” is an exhibition space, spread out over two different floors.
Renzo Piano only used typical Roman materials for his Auditorium, such as red brick and travertino marble, thus creating a continuity between past and present.
There are also some ruins of an ancient Roman villa to be seen inside the complex. These were discovered during the construction of the Auditorium and are either the ruins of a Roman farm house, or of the Sanctuary of Anna Perenna. Anna Perenna was a deity imported from Carthage, whose festival took place on March 15th and is supposed to have included lots of wine and sex. In 1999, a fountain dedicated to this goddess was found in the vicinity of the Auditorium.
Festivals at the Auditorium Parco della Musica
- February: Equilibrio – Festival of the New Dance
- June-July: Roma Summer Fest (big name jazz and popular music artists)
- December: Gospel festival
Christmas Market
Every year during the holidays there is a Christmas market at the Auditorium. The complex also houses one of the few skating rinks in Rome, so especially now that the Christmas market in Piazza Navona has lost its appeal, the Auditorium is one of the most rewarding places to take children to.