If you stroll through Rome and venture a little away from the hustle and bustle of the center, you'll come across a massive white stone structure that will leave you speechless. We're talking about the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana , much better known to guides and tourists as the Square Colosseum. This building is not only an imposing structure, but also the centerpiece of the EUR district, an area that was born with boundless ambition and is now one of the most modern parts of the Italian capital.
The history of this place is linked to complicated times, as it was a direct commission from Benito Mussolini back in 1935. The idea was that the palace would be the jewel in the crown of the 1942 Rome Universal Exposition. Although the war ended up disrupting the plans and the fair was never held, the work was finished in 1943, remaining as an architectural testament to the fascist regime and its obsession with grandeur and symmetry.
A design based on power and symmetry
The name "Square Colosseum" is neither accidental nor a modern whim. Mussolini wanted his rule to be perceived as the rebirth of the Roman Empire , so the design had to inevitably evoke the Flavian Amphitheater. Architects Giovanni Guerrini, Ernesto La Padula, and Mario Romano created a solid and pure structure, using travertine marble and concrete to achieve that sense of timelessness and robustness.
If you look closely at the facade, you'll see that the building is essentially a tower of arches. In total, there are 218 arches distributed across its four sides. Interestingly, there are six rows of nine arches each; it's said that these numbers were chosen to match the number of letters in the names "Benito" and "Mussolini ," thus leaving an indelible mark of the dictator in stone.
Symbols of talent and structure
At the base of the building, right on the first row of arches that serves as the entrance, are 28 statues carved from Ferrara marble. These figures measure about 3,4 meters and are not there merely for decoration; each one represents a human skill , an art, or a science. It is, essentially, a sculpted catalog of Italian talent and how humankind can master diverse disciplines.
The palace sits atop a massive travertine plinth or platform that elevates the structure, making its nearly 70 meters of height even more imposing. To access this "loft," one must climb a staircase flanked by four sculptures that guard the perimeter of the enclosure, reinforcing the image of an impregnable fortress.
From fascism to haute couture
After the end of World War II, the fate of the EUR district and this palace hung in the balance. Some suggested demolishing everything to erase the traces of fascism, but in the end, it was decided to reconsider and transform the area into an administrative and residential district. Today, the EUR district is Rome's financial center and a highly sought-after place to live, where historic buildings stand alongside avant-garde works by architects such as Renzo Piano and Fuksas.
As for the building, for decades it was used for cultural exhibitions. However, since 2015, the property has undergone a surprising transformation: it is now the headquarters of Fendi . The luxury brand reached an agreement with the Rome city council to lease the building for 15 years, paying approximately €2,8 million annually . Fendi does not have complete control, however, as the ground floor remains open to the public to host art and design exhibitions that promote the "Made in Italy" label.
This monument is a perfect example of how a city can repurpose spaces steeped in conflict and transform them into economic and cultural engines. The Square Colosseum remains an unbeatable visual icon, where the rigidity of fascist rationalism merges with the glamour of contemporary fashion, maintaining its status as one of the most unique buildings in the entire Roman city.
