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“Alfedo Berra” Stadium is in Marconi district near several Departments of Roma Tre (Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Mathematics and Physics), is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor sports. It is an important location for roman athletics.
Aura of legend
The eucalyptus trees of the “Berra” and the breeze from the river tell stories, and like all places with a past of their own, they hide something precious. Behind the competitive efforts of many students, treasures may lie hidden that only a few know about. And there are even some ghosts, so let’s talk about ghosts.
Peter Snell was a New Zealand middle-distance runner who, in his own way, wrote Olympic history. He was certainly one of the standout athletes of the 1960 Rome Games. In the months leading up to that year’s Olympics, the New Zealand athletics team toured the main sports facilities in the capital. They needed to find a permanent basis to carry out their training. After visiting many venues, the choice fell on a small and, at the time, rather outlying stadium (in 1960, the EUR district was still under construction — in fact, the city practically ended just after the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls). Today it’s called the “Alfredo Berra” Stadium; back then, it was known as the “Stadium of the Eucalyptus Trees.”Why did the New Zealanders choose such a reserved and then little-known place? The real answer became known years later. Its relative proximity to the sea, its closeness to the Tiber River and the surrounding natural environment created an optimal microclimate — in some ways similar to that of New Zealand. The result of a quick but very thorough search.
Those who were there still remember three young men — friendly, extremely polite, and punctual in showing up every day for training. They were Peter Snell, Murray Gordon Halberg and Barry Magee. The first two would go on to win the 800m and 5000m respectively; Magee would take bronze in the marathon. In short, the eucalyptus climate worked wonders. Theirs are the shadows of three kind-hearted ghosts who still hover on the “Berra” today, passing to the students of Roma Tre a clear message: “Do the best you can, with dedication, perseverance, and punctuality. The results will come.”
With or without a medal. That’s what the ghosts say.
The area
The total area is about 25.000 square meters, surrounded by eucalyptus trees as in 1960. It includes a soccer field, two padel courts, a multifunctional area with synthetic turf where it is possible to play volley and athletics ground where you can take sports courses or simply train yourself.
Once inside, through the main entrance (easy to recognize thanks to the large “Stadio Alfredo Berra” writing), you will find a pathway leading to a sports field and the secretary office to the left side. Continuing, you will gain access to the large sports field where you can practice various athletics disciplines and play football, outside the red track, there is a green tree-linedarea with benches. It can be the ideal place to meet, study or relax after physical activity.
Address: Via G. Veratti snc – 00146 Roma [google map] Tel : 06 57 333 702/04
How to reach us: the stadium is well connected either with the subway station (Marconi) or several bus lines (23, 170, 669, 670, 791)
