Biomercato in Certosa

A farmers' market in the green heart of Certosa

The Biomercato in Certosa takes place in Parco della Certosa, also known as the Giardino Liberato della Certosa, located at Via Galeazzo Alessi 122 in Rome, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. We are in the belt of neighborhoods connecting Pigneto to Mandrione, a part of the city where farmhouses, urban gardens, and ancient aqueduct arches coexist with post-war apartment blocks. The park is a green space reclaimed and maintained by local residents, and it is right here, under the trees, that producers set up their stalls every Saturday morning.

From a solidarity purchasing group to an open market

The initiative did not arise from a public tender or a commercial operation, but from a local solidarity purchasing group (GAS): a collective of families who were already ordering fruit, vegetables, and cheese together directly from farms. Over time, that order cycle evolved into an event open to everyone, and the market became the hub for a series of activities that animate the garden. The Comitato Certosa and local associations manage the organization, space allocation, and the calendar of side events.

What you will find at the stalls

The producers present are small-scale organic and zero-kilometer farms from Lazio and neighboring provinces. The selection changes with the seasons, but typically includes:

• Seasonal fruits and vegetables, harvested in the days prior;
• Cheeses and cured meats from small dairies and farms;
• Eggs from free-range hens;
• Honey, jams, and artisanal preserves;
• Extra virgin olive oil from Lazio;
• Niche products such as saffron and hazelnuts;
• Fresh handmade pasta, bread, and pastries;
• Organic yogurt from Roman social cooperatives.

Prices are negotiated directly with the people who grew or processed the product: this is the essence of the conscious shopping that the Biomercato has championed from the start.

More than just shopping: workshops, lunches, and music

A small schedule of activities revolves around the stalls. There are workshops for children dedicated to nature, gardening, and creative reuse; there are community lunches open to neighborhood residents and their friends, prepared with products from the market itself; and during the longer days of the warmer months, live music and tasting stalls arrive, transforming the market into a true neighborhood festival that can continue until sunset.

A model of local economy

The Biomercato in Certosa is part of the network of farmers' markets that has redesigned the relationship between Rome and its countryside in recent years. The Agro Romano remains one of the largest agricultural areas in Europe bordering a major capital, and initiatives like this radically shorten the supply chain: from the field to the stall, often within a few hours. For the neighborhood, it means fresh products at fair prices; for the farms, it means income that isn't lost to organized distribution.

When to visit

The market takes place on Saturday mornings, generally from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with some special days extending into the late afternoon. The frequency has grown over time: starting as a first-Saturday-of-the-month event, the market now follows an almost weekly rhythm, with some seasonal variations. It is always a good idea to check the market's Facebook page before heading out, as the calendar can be subject to adjustments due to bad weather or special events in the park.