Gian Marco Sanna

MALAGROTTA - THE CITY OF SNOW | The Malagrotta Dump is the main long-term storage site for urban solid waste from the city of Rome. It is located in the western suburbs of the city, in the estate of Malagrotta. The name derives from the Latin Mola Rupta , a name originated by a broken grinding wheel on the nearby stream Rio Galeria. According to some, the largest landfill in Europe. 240 hectares, between 4500 and 5000 tons of waste were dumped every day.

In 2013, Italy was sanctioned at the European Court of Justice by the European Environment Committee as part of the waste discharged at the landfill did not undergo the biological treatment (MBT) required by the European regulations.  On January 9, 2014, the NOE (ecological department of carabinieri) commanded by Sergio De Caprio, known as “Ultimo” , stopped 7 people. Among others the owner of the dump Manlio Cerroni, know as “Re della monnezza” (“the king of garbage”) and the former president of the Lazio region Bruno Landi.

Since the closure of the malagrotta dump the situation has not improved. Abandoned waste of all kinds are still visible in the areas surrounding the landfill. Malagrotta consists of black water flows, worn tires, rubbles, abandoned cars, dead palms trees and ashes. A wounded ground. In the night the air is filled with a thick cloud of smoke and stench. It’s the city of snow.  www.gianmarcosanna.com