If you take a stroll through Rome, there's one place that will leave you speechless with its strangeness and majesty: the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. Many people know it simply as the Square Colosseum , and with good reason, since its geometric shape and repetitive arches immediately bring to mind the world's most famous amphitheater, albeit in a much more minimalist and square version.
This building is the jewel of the EUR district, an area that was conceived with the ambition of becoming the new face of the city. It was originally designed as the heart of the 1942 World's Fair , a colossal project championed by Mussolini to showcase the regime's power. Although the war disrupted everything and the fair never took place, the building was completed in 1943 and became an icon of Italian rationalism.
History and Symbolism of Design
The design is not a product of chance. Mussolini wanted his rule to be perceived as a new Roman Empire , so he commissioned architects Giovanni Guerrini, Ernesto La Padula, and Mario Romano to create a modern homage to the Colosseum. The result is a solid and pure volume , clad in travertine marble and concrete , that commands respect with its absolute symmetry.
There's a very curious detail about the building's numbers that sounds like an urban legend but is widely discussed. The palace has four facades, and each one features six rows of nine arches. It's said that these numbers were chosen intentionally to match the letters in the names of Benito (6) and Mussolini (9). In total, the structure boasts 218 arches , creating a spectacular interplay of light and shadow.
To enter the building, one must climb a staircase that elevates it above a kind of travertine plateau . At the ends of these stairs, four sculptures guard the boundaries of the enclosure, giving it an even more monumental and aloof air.
A Tribute to Italian Talent
If you look at the first row of arches, right at the entrance, you'll see a statue beneath each one. There are 28 sculptures carved from Ferrara marble , each about 3,4 meters tall. These pieces aren't there merely for decoration; each one represents a skill, art, or science mastered by humankind.
The aim was to pay tribute to the genius of the Italians , making it clear that their people had been a global benchmark in fields as varied as culture, sports, and technology. It is, essentially, a catalog in stone of the best that Italy has to offer the world, the famous concept of "Made in Italy . "
Location and the EUR District
The building is located in the EUR district (formerly known as Esposizione Universale Roma), about 10 kilometers from the historic center. Although it may seem like it's in the middle of nowhere, it's very well connected thanks to the metro line that opened for the 1960 Olympic Games, specifically at the EUR Magliana station.
After the fall of fascism, some suggested demolishing the entire neighborhood because it was too stark a reminder of the dictatorship. However, the decision was made to reverse course and transform it into a top-tier administrative and residential center . Today, it is Rome's financial district , where historic architecture coexists with avant-garde buildings such as the Fuksas Congress Center and the Eurosky Tower.
A New Life: From Politics to Fashion
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana has adapted to the times. For years it was a space dedicated to cultural exhibitions, but since 2015 it has undergone a surprising transformation. The prestigious fashion house Fendi reached an agreement with the City of Rome to convert the building into its corporate headquarters.
The lease is temporary (15 years) and has an annual cost of 2,8 million euros . Fendi occupies almost the entire building, except for the ground floor. This lower level is maintained as a cultural center where design and art exhibitions continue to be held to promote Italian identity.
Getting here is easy, and if you're coming from Ciampino Airport, you'll likely see it from your car window before entering the city. Despite its controversial origins, this building has become one of the most photographed and beautiful landmarks in the Italian capital, thanks to its elegance and imposing presence in the cityscape.
