OUR HISTORY
At the "roots" of the River
The history of this structure intersects with that of Rome's most ancient river tradition.
The floating boat, built in the 1920s as a DLF (railway club) float and anchored on the banks of Lungo Tevere Arnaldo da Brescia ever since, is in fact the oldest of those moored on the river and testifies to how, until a few decades ago, bathing in the Tiber and living in close contact with the river were among the most common habits of the Romans.
It was conceived as a permanent floating gym on the river, not far from Ponte Margherita, and inaugurated in September 1931 in the presence of the authorities. It was managed by the Dopolavoro Ferroviario (DLF) and hosted sports and riverside social activities.
Built on stable floating structures, it offered diving boards, platforms and services for competitions, shows and open-air gatherings on the Tiber.
Rari Nantes: history and sporting prestige
Within a few years, what began as a small house on the Tiber became a destination for excursions, river races and "swimming expeditions" by the protagonists of the Roman aristocracy and the nascent urban bourgeoisie.
Rari Nantes (founded in 1895 by Giuseppe Cantù) is
It was one of the oldest Italian swimming clubs: it was among the first in Italy and won the national championships in 1920 and 1932.
The link between swimming clubs and "floating" venues is rooted in the desire to combine water sports and socializing in innovative and evocative environments.
Historicity, Uniqueness and Atmosphere
The Rari Nantes and DLF societies helped fuel a river tradition of competitions, socialising and culture.
The Galleggiante was a point of reference for swimming, rowing and diving, evolving with quality facilities on the water and training athletes who were symbols of Roman swimming
The Galleggiante is today an exclusive location for:
Private events: receptions, evenings, exhibitions, conferences.
Evocative settings: elegantly vintage interiors and unique river views.
Narrative experiences: every event becomes part of a shared story
This place unites:
Authentic history: a tradition of river sports since the second half of the 19th century.
Architectural uniqueness: a stable floating construction, immersed in the urban landscape of the Lungotevere.
An atmosphere suspended in time, between the charm of ancient Rome and an environmental quality rich in historical details.