Mercati coperti e pratiche della progettazione urbana. Roma, 1850-1910

The question of a network of covered markets serving the capital, arises for the first time, officially and with the support of specific studies, under the pontificate of Pius IX. Given such a significant delay compared with other european capitals and even with respect to other important italian cities, it isn’t surprising that at the end of the 19th century Rome still had only a few markets. A livestock market at Testaccio, a farmer’s market at via dei Cerchi and just two fish markets, one at piazza San Teodoro and the other at piazza delle Coppelle. A study of the institutional sources, mainly reports and projects related to the construction of local covered markets, clearly reveals the attention given to this subject, which especially after Rome was declared the capital of Italy increased, primarily due to the impact of private entrepreneurs.