The covers in Rome are made of metal

 

or concrete

 

and are square

 

, rectangular

 

, round

 

, octagonal

 

, or oval

 

in shape.
Additional shapes exist, such as triangular

 

and others.
In some cases, round covers intended for sidewalks are surrounded by a square frame, which greatly facilitates the paving work around them

 

.

No colored or gilded covers were found in Rome. Covers intended for the Municipality of Rome often bear the city emblem

 

or the letters SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanus - the Senate and People of Rome - a marking symbolizing the Municipality of Rome

 

(or both).

The covers are intended for various users, including the Municipality of Rome

 

, Acea - the municipal authority for electricity and water

 

, the gas company ITALGAS

 

, communication providers such as TELECOM ITALIA

 

or FASTWEB

 

, and others.

In many cases, it is not possible to determine the purpose of the cover. In other cases, drainage covers can be identified by drainage slots

 

, communication covers by the name of the provider

 

, water covers by the name of the municipal electricity and water authority

 

or the word ACQUE, gas covers by the word GAS

 

, lighting covers by the words ILLUMINAZIONE PUBBLICA (public lighting)

 

, and so on.

In general, the covers in Rome are not unique to the city and follow designs typical of the manufacturer. There is a relatively large number of old drainage covers made of stone

 

, and, as mentioned, many water covers are octagonal in shape

 

.

“Diagonal” covers can also be found (a square cover composed of two triangular parts, opened by lifting one of the parts)

 

.

Covers from the Mussolini Period
There are several covers in the city from the Fascist period, bearing the emblem of the National Fascist Party of Italy - the fasces (a bundle of rods with an axe blade)

 

.

Manufacturers
The covers were made by Italian manufacturers: MCP SPA

 

, Fonderie Pisano

 

, FERB

 

, Montini

 

, and many others.
Covers made by the French Norinco

 

, the German ACO Group

 

, and others can also be found.

Standards
The common standards are the European standard EN124

 

and the various load classes (B125 - D400)

 

.
The Italian UNI standard

 

, ICIM

 

, IGQ

 

, the French NF

 

, and others can also be found.