CSOA Forte Prenestino

CSOA Forte Prenestino is a large self-managed social centre based in a squatted fort in Centocelle, Rome. It was occupied on May Day 1986. Forte Prenestino is an "important node of production of cultural and political events" and hosts many groups and events across its 13 hectares.[1]

CSOA Forte Prenestino

Centro Sociale Occupato Autogestito Forte Prenestino
Corridor at Forte Prenestino
CSOA Forte Prenestino Location within Rome
Address	187, Via Federico Delpino, 00171
Location	Rome
Coordinates	41.89231°N 12.56943°E
Type	fort
Genre(s)	military
Acreage	13 hectares
Construction
Built	1880-1884
Opened	1986
Website
forteprenestino.net

History of fort

Forte Prenestina was built between 1880 and 1884. It was one of fifteen Roman forts constructed in this time and never used in battle. By the 1950s it was derelict and from 1977 onwards it was used as a dump by the Municipality of Rome.[2]

Occupation

CSOA Forte Prenestino was occupied on May 1 1986, during a 'Festival of Non-Work.'[1] CSOA (Italian: Centro Sociale Occupato Autogestito) means 'Occupied Self-Managed Social Centre.' The squatters cleaned the site and all the rubbish which had been dumped there was removed.[2]

Activities

Hip hop group Colle der Fomento performing at Forte Prenestino

The size of the centre allows it to host many groups and activities. In 1996, Steve Wright wrote that: "Forte Prenestino plays an important role in its local community. It houses an exhibition gallery, practice rooms for bands, space for theatrical performances, a dark room, gymnasium, and cafe. Classes are held, there are regular film nights, courses on design and sculpture, and a documentation centre. Outside Rome, the Forte is best known for its music label, featuring local rap and reggae bands. It also produces the journal Nessuna Dipendenza, which documents the Forte's activities and engages in political discussion and debate."[3]

The rap group Assalti Frontali built a recording studio at the fort in the 1990s.[4] Many internationally known bands, for example Autechre,[5] Fugazi (5 times)[6] and Test Department[7] have played at the centre.

There is also an antifascist gym.[8] Other activities include an infoshop, a bicycle workshop, a children's playground, a garden with flora guide and a herbalist shop.[9][10] Organisations utilising different areas include a cinema, a bar, a theatre, a permanent exhibition area, a tattoo and piercing studio, a tea room and an organic farmers market.[11]

References

1. Marini, Alessia; Mudu, Pierpaolo (2016). "Radical Urban Horticulture for Food Autonomy: Beyond the Community Gardens Experience". Antipode. 50 (2): 549–573. doi:10.1111/anti.12284.
2. Kuruvilla, Gabriella (2016-07-31). "The biggest social centre in Europe". Abitare. Rome. Archived from the original on 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
3. Wright, Steve (1996). "Living In The Heart Of The Beast - Italy's Social Centres". Black Flag 209. Archived from the original on 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
4. Wright, Steve (2000). "'A Love Born of Hate' - Autonomist Rap in Italy". Theory, Culture & Society. 17 (3): 117–135.
5. "Autechre Live at Forte Prenestino". The Archive. 1996. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
6. "Fugazi Live Series". Dischord. Archived from the original on 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
7. Monroe, Alexei (2017). "Test Department Interview". The Quietus. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
8. In Italy, Struggles (2013). "An overview of Italy's anti-fascist gyms and boxing clubs". Libcom. Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
9. Engel-Di Mauro, Salvatore; Cattaneo, Claudio (2015). "Urban squats as eco-social resistance to and resilience in the face of capitalist relations: Case studies from Barcelona and Rome". PArtecipazione e COnflitto: The Open Journal of Sociopolitical Studies. 8 (2).
10. "Festa del non lavoro al Forte Prenestino". Roma Today (in Italian). 27 April 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
11. M, Sharon (2014-01-25). "Occupied Rome". Romeing. Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-04-01.