Daily life in San Lorenzo

Shopping and markets

San Lorenzo has no large covered market; shopping is done in the small and medium supermarkets on via Tiburtina and via dei Volsci, and in the grocers, bakeries and greengrocers of the inner streets, geared also to students (single portions, low prices, long hours). The reference covered market is the Nuovo Mercato Esquilino in via Principe Amedeo, a quarter of an hour on foot, with the most multi-ethnic food hall in the city. In the morning, along via del Pigneto, there is also the fruit and vegetable market of neighbouring Pigneto.

Services, health, schools, libraries

On the district's northern edge, beyond via Tiburtina, are the Policlinico Umberto I, Rome's largest public hospital, and the Sapienza university campus (opened in 1935). Pharmacies are on via Tiburtina, via dei Volsci and piazzale del Verano. There are state nursery, primary and secondary schools in the district.

The Villa Mercede library of the Biblioteche di Roma network is in the villa of the same name on via Tiburtina, with study rooms heavily used by students. At Castro Pretorio, ten minutes on foot, is the National Central Library of Rome; the Sapienza libraries are accessible under the university's rules.

Green space and leisure

Green space is scarce and precious: Villa Mercede, with palm-lined paths and an English-style garden, and the Parco dei Caduti del 19 luglio 1943, dedicated to the victims of the bombing, plus the piazzale del Verano. For running people take the tram to Villa Torlonia or Villa Borghese.

In the evening the district is one of the densest nightlife areas in the city: pubs, craft beer bars, wine bars, pizza-by-the-slice shops, fixed-price trattorie, live music venues and long-standing social centres between via dei Volsci, via degli Ausoni, via dei Sabelli, via dei Latini, piazza dell'Immacolata and largo degli Osci. The offer is young and informal, with prices among the lowest in the centre; the flip side is the noise for those living above.