From ancient Rome to the 20th century monumental city: a project for the new imperial capital

The urban structure of Rome during the Thirties of last century undergoes a relevant transformation as a result of intervention and demolition that aim to adapt the old town to the needs of the modern age. Mussolini, the main character of this cultural and ideological movement, dresses the part of the myth of Augustus, in a sort of continuity between Roman empire and Fascist era. This aspect coincide with a general re-interpretation of urban space: monuments become the leading actors of the scene, isolated and enhanced through the construction of scenographic views to the detriment of old urban tissue which, although full of history and human life, is destroyed because regarded as deprived of architectural, historical and environmental values. From the first conference of the Institute of Roman Studies in 1928 to the 1931 General Master Plan, the construction of the myth of Rome makes use of performers and excellent designers, such as Brasini, Piacentini, Ojetti, Giovannoni, Piccinato and Ricci, in a ferment of ideas and proposals which, starting from the Thirties to the Fifties and Sixties, will mark the destiny of the urban plot and public spaces of the historic city.