Central Lake Park

The Central Lake Park, located in the EUR district of Rome, is a fascinating example of how an urban area can combine green spaces and modern structures in a harmonious balance. Originally designed in 1936 as part of the plan for the 1942 Universal Exhibition, the park’s idea only materialized after World War II. Architect Raffaele De Vico and engineer Giorgio Biuso were the main creators of the park, which was officially inaugurated in 1962. The park covers approximately 160,000 square meters, divided equally between green areas and the artificial lake that represents its beating heart. This body of water, about a kilometer long and between 60 and 130 meters wide, is surrounded by pedestrian and cycling paths that offer visitors an ideal place for relaxing walks and outdoor activities. A distinctive feature of the park is the presence of the Palazzo dello Sport, located on the hill overlooking the lake. Designed by Pier Luigi Nervi and Marcello Piacentini and completed for the 1960 Olympic Games, the Palazzo dello Sport is an extraordinary example of modern architecture, with its reinforced concrete structure and characteristic dome. This building, along with the Rose Pool, also built for the Olympics, forms a sports complex of great historical and architectural significance. The lake is fed by a series of fountains and waterfalls that not only create a spectacular visual effect but also help maintain the aquatic ecosystem. The main fountains, located at the end of the lake near the Palazzo dello Sport, were designed to ensure a constant supply of oxygen to the water, essential for the health of the artificial basin. One of the most interesting aspects of the Central Lake Park is the Japan Walk, a boulevard adorned with over 2,500 Japanese cherry trees donated by the Japanese government in 1959. Every spring, during the hanami period, these trees bloom, attracting numerous visitors who gather to admire the cherry blossoms and participate in picnics under the pink petals, following a typically Japanese tradition. The park is also a meeting point for various cultural and recreational activities. Throughout the year, it hosts events and exhibitions, helping to make the EUR one of the liveliest and most dynamic areas of Rome. The park’s facilities have undergone several renovation interventions, including a significant one in 2003 and another at the end of the decade, which further improved the accessibility and usability of the green spaces. The area surrounding the park is characterized by important modern buildings, including the headquarters of ENI and UniCredit bank, which respectively delimit the southeast and northwest sides of the lake. These buildings, together with the fountain system and well-kept vegetation, create a unique urban landscape where architecture and nature blend perfectly. The presence of two metro stations, EUR Palasport and EUR Fermi, makes the park easily accessible from different neighborhoods of Rome, thus encouraging public use and integrating the park into the daily life of citizens. An ambitious project related to the park is the Mediterraneum Aquarium of Rome, whose construction began in 2008 along the northern edge of the lake. Although the opening was planned for 2012, several delays have postponed its inauguration, but once completed, the aquarium will further enrich the cultural and recreational offer of the park.