From the Engineering School to the Faculty - a brief history. In Rome, the first student course to obtain the Engineering Degree was established in 1817 by Pope Pio VII, based on the need by the Papal States to dispose of their own specialized technicians, instead of applying to external ones, as it had been the case until then.

Following the initiative, the first School for Professional Training in Engineering started to operate under the official denomination of "Engineering School". The intent was to keep its administration as autonomous as possible. Therefore, the School was not included in the "Studium Urbis", and placed, instead, under the coordination of the Water and Road Prefecture. The activities of the latter, performed according to specific regulations, included not only the execution of road and hydraulic works but also the establishment of a "Papal Corps of road and water engineers". The admission to it was subject to the possession of a degree obtained from the Engineering School.
The School was directed by a Professor of Mathematics and by two Inspectors, from the Water and Road Councils, respectively. For over fifty years, until the fall of the Papal States, all School disciplines dealt basically with hydraulics and road construction, to meet the demand of that time. A student could graduate in Engineering in three years, after having accomplished mathematical, physical and philosophical studies in one of the public universities and having obtained the degree of philosophy and mathematics.
By the advent of the new regime and the formation in Italy of the unitarian state (after September 20, 1870), the Rome School of Application for Engineers was established. Although reaching a University level, its administration remained autonomous and separated from the Rome University plan. In 1913, the School was split in two sections, Civil and Industrial Engineering, to be better tailored to the new industry requirements. It was later on, in 1935, that the School further developed and became "the Engineering College" of the Rome University "La Sapienza". In 1960, a new set of regulations was issued, by which a 5-year course and 11 different engineering degrees were established.
The basic lines of today's College were drawn bearing in mind the need for the engineer's professional preparation to combine a solid scientific knowledge with practical experience.

HOW TO REACH the Meeting area

Most of the hotels in the list (see Logistics) are located at a walking distance.

By bus and subway. The area is linked with bus ("75" and "84") and subway Metro "B" (Blue line, stop at "Cavour" or "Colosseo") to the Central Termini Rail Station (5 min. walking distance from bus/metro stops to the Meeting place).
The following buses, to and from various destinations in town, effect a stop near the Colosseum and the Meeting place: 60, 75, 84, 85, 87, 117, 175, 186, 810, 850, 204. Bus and metro tickets are on sale at tobacco shops or newspaper kiosks.

From the Airport. At the Rail Station a direct, non-stop train (Leonardo express, every half an hour) service to Fiumicino airport is available. The travel lasts about 30 min. The airport is also connected to other stations in town by another local train (every 20 min.) that effects several stops (e.g., Ostiense rail station) on the way, but does not stop at Termini. The travel lasts about 45 min.

Ticket prices for the two lines are slightly different. Train tickets from Fiumicino Airport to rail stations and viceversa can be purchased at the airport and in all stations in town. At the airport taxis can be found, too. It is recommended to board only official, white colour taxis bearing on the roof the "taxi" indication and waiting for passengers in the dedicated area.
It takes about 50 minutes to reach the town center. Average cost of the trip: 50 euros.

By car. People planning to rent a car should follow the indication "Roma Centro" when going out from the "Arrivals" area, then take the highway Fiumicino-Rome and once on the "Via Cristoforo Colombo" proceed to the historical center.
In town, parking on both sides of the street is allowed against payment only. Tickets for Parking can be purchased either through automatic ticket dispensers on the road, or at tobacco shops.