Welcome to Shanghai Running Tour

“Welcome to Shanghai”

On Tor Marancia district it is possible to visit the biggest free museum of street art of Rome: 22 giant murals that cover the housing blocks. Tor Marancia is not an area of Rome that most people visit, which is the whole point of the art project that was created here in 2015. Rome is certainly best known for its more classical art and ancient history… and this project is focused on highlighting a part of Rome that does not get as much attention: a trip out to Tor Marancia can be a welcome break from the crowds of the old city and gives you a glimpse into the Rome of real Romans.

The street art project was designed to regenerate the underestimated suburb of Tor Marancia by turning the area’s social housing tower blocks in an open-air urban art museum.

The Tor Marancia district is located just outside the historical center of Rome, a few chilometers far from Circo Massimo. It was built on 1933 to house the Romans that the fascist regime had evicted from their homes in the old city.

Soon, the district of Tor Marancia, took the nickname “Shanghai” for two reasons: for the high population density and for the frequency of flooding (China territory is the one most at risk of flooding in the world).

On 1948 the blocks were demolished to build the buildings we see today, under public housing.

On 2015 starts this important project of street art for the redevelopment of the area began: the project’s name is Big City Life. The facades of eleven buildings have become giant “canvases” involving 22 both Italian and international street artists. These street artists drawn 22 murals 14 meters high, one more beautiful than the other and all different from each other in themes, styles, colors. The project was carried out with the involvement of the residents: the artists, before painting the buildings, had many meetings with families, schools and local associations. In addition to Italian street artists such as Diamond, Moneyless and Mr Klevra, other artists involved in the project came from Argentina, Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and the US.

Entrance to the neighboorhood area with these impressive street art murals is completely free. To find them, simply head for Via Tor Marancia 63