The designers of the Little Palace of Sport referred in the structure to the classic element of Roman architecture – the dome of the ancient Pantheon, however they left out its typical monumentalism and pathos. On the outside the inconspicuous, light hall with a flat roof looks like a concrete tent. On the inside, on the other hand, the dome with a diameter of 60 meters, stretching out to the height of 21 meters, recalls distant memories of the aforementioned top of the Pantheon and its round oculus in the middle, but instead of coffer ceilings, a refined, narrowing towards the middle mesh, stretches out above the head of the onlooker. The dome is supported by reinforced concrete, leaning supports, in the shape of the letter Y. From the outside we can see the marble ring surrounding it, in which the changing rooms and utility rooms are located, while the upper part is filled with glass.

At the present the hall can accommodate 3.1 thousand spectators, but in the past it could fit even 5 thousand fans. Today “bitten” by the tooth of time, it has somewhat blackened, surrounded with neglected lawns, it is no longer a tourist destination. It attracts only those interested in contemporary architecture, or those, who are on their way to the nearby museum of XXI century art – MAXXI. Its owner is the city, while it is used by a first division volleyball club, M. Roma Volley.

At the moment when the structure was put into use (1960), the world press was full of stories about its exceptional form, outstanding construction and described it as an architectural work of art. It ensured that the designer – Luigi Nervi was included in the upper echelon of the history of XX century architecture. And not without reason either – since he was able to in an exceptional way combine an artistic spirit with novel construction. This mature, at that time nearly 70-years old engineer with artistic ambitions, created a masterpiece in the field of architecture and statics – at the same time using inexpensive material – reinforced concrete. The main idea was to construct a dome which would give the impression of not being supported on anything but rather hanging in the air. And Nervi put this vision into effect. This is best visible during games played at dusk. The hall, illuminated with light emerging from the interior and penetrating the glass façade, is reminiscent of a space ship – a flying saucer, which is going to settle on the ground at any minute. Still today, despite being neglected, it is perhaps one of the most elegant structures of the turn of the 50’s and 60’s of the XX century, a structure which is an example for all such kind of arrangements throughout the world.

Unfortunately the hall is not accessible to visitors.