If you take a stroll through Rome, you're likely to be surprised when you reach the EUR district. There stands the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, a building that leaves everyone speechless and which many affectionately call the Square Colosseum . This building is not just a pile of stones and marble, but a living testament to a complex era, designed to be the heart of the 1942 World's Fair, which, although ultimately abandoned due to the outbreak of war, left behind an architectural gem.
What makes this place special is how it blends rationalist aesthetics with the ambition to revive the glory of the ancient Roman Empire. The building is a perfect cube that seems to float above the cityscape, becoming a symbol where the fascist past and the modernity of contemporary fashion coexist in the same space. It is, without a doubt, a must-see for anyone who wants to experience a side of Rome different from the typical postcards of the historic center.
Origins and the shadow of fascism
The story of this palace begins in 1935, when Benito Mussolini decided he needed an iconic building to showcase the power of his regime. Construction began in 1938 and was finally completed in 1943. The architects in charge of bringing this project to life were Giovanni Guerrini, Ernesto La Padula, and Mario Romano , who followed the guidelines of a style based on symmetry, solidity, and a monumental scale that sought to both intimidate and inspire awe.
The design was not accidental. Mussolini was obsessed with linking his rule to the era of the emperors, so the building was conceived as a direct homage to the Roman Colosseum. This connection is evident in the structure of overlapping arches, creating a kind of square arena that reflects the discipline and order of the fascist rationalism that dominated the entire EUR district.
Symbolism and detailed architecture
If you look closely at the facade, you'll see that the building has a total of 218 arches . Interestingly, there are six rows of nine arches on each side. It's said that these numbers aren't there by chance, but rather as a nod to the dictator, since "Benito" has six letters and "Mussolini" has nine . It's these kinds of calculated details that make the building so powerful.
As for the materials, the undisputed star is travertine marble , which covers all the faces of the cube and the plinth on which it stands. To access the building, one must ascend a staircase located on opposite facades that elevates the structure onto a kind of plateau. At the ends of these staircases, four sculptures guard the palace's boundaries, lending it an even more imposing air.
- The structure reaches almost to Meters 70, a figure that feels even greater thanks to the travertine and concrete platform.
- On the ground floor, under the arches, are located 28 marble statues from Ferrara which measure about 3,4 meters.
- Each of these figures represents a skill, art, or science, paying tribute to the talent and creative ability of the Italian people.
A second life between art and haute couture
After the fall of the regime, some suggested demolishing the entire EUR district due to its ideological connotations, but ultimately it was decided to repurpose the spaces for administrative and residential use. The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana became a center for cultural dissemination, hosting exhibitions that promoted Italian identity. Today, the district is Rome's financial hub , coexisting with modern landmarks such as Fuksas's "The Cloud" and the Eurosky Tower.
Since 2015, the building has undergone a surprising transformation. The prestigious fashion house Fendi reached an agreement with the Rome city council to convert the palazzo into its headquarters. This temporary lease agreement lasts for 15 years and involves an annual payment of €2,8 million . Fendi occupies almost the entire building, with the exception of the ground floor.
The ground floor remains open to the public and is used to house art and design exhibitions under the "Made in Italy" label. It's a fascinating contrast: while haute couture collections are being created upstairs, national culture and ingenuity continue to be celebrated downstairs. If you go to Rome and land at Ciampino Airport, you'll very likely see this imposing building from your car before reaching the heart of the city.
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana remains an unbeatable icon of rationalist architecture, where the white marble and its endless arches tell the story of an Italy that went from imperial ambition to becoming the world capital of design and fashion , preserving a building that, despite its shadows, is visually spectacular.
