In this episode, we explore how Mussolini’s vision of a “Third Rome” reshaped the Eternal City during the fascist era. From grand avenues like Via dei Fori Imperiali to the EUR district, Mussolini used architecture to tie ancient Roman glory to modern fascist power. We examine his projects, including demolitions and the uneasy relationship with the Vatican, and consider the ideological and cultural impacts of these transformations. Discover how Rome became a stage for competing visions of history, modernity, and identity, leaving traces still visible today.

In this episode, we venture beyond Rome’s iconic landmarks to uncover the fascinating story of its public housing projects. From the early 20th century courtyard blocks of Testaccio to the whimsical Garbatella and the rationalist Borgate of the fascist era, these neighborhoods reveal the city’s evolving social and architectural ambitions. We explore how styles like neorealism and modernism shaped Rome’s urban fabric, balancing tradition and innovation. Discover a side of Rome that blends history, ideology, and design to redefine its identity in the modern age.

In this episode, we explore Elio Petri’s Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, a searing critique of authority and corruption set in Rome during Italy’s turbulent Years of Lead. Following a high-ranking police official who murders his lover, the film shifts focus from whodunnit to why justice protects power. Through stark Roman landscapes, political allegory, and a hauntingly ambiguous ending, Petri examines the city as both a stage for systemic flaws and a symbol of enduring power. Discover how this masterpiece remains chillingly relevant today

In this episode, we trace Rome’s transformation from papal stronghold to the capital of a unified Italy. From the revolutionary ideals of 1798 and 1848 to the pivotal breaching of Porta Pia in 1870, we uncover how modernity, migration, and shifting allegiances shaped the Eternal City. Exploring bold reforms, daring uprisings, and the silent revolution brewing beneath the surface, this episode reveals how Rome’s layered history culminated in a dramatic moment of unification, redefining its identity for the modern age.

In this episode, we delve into the transformation of Rome following Italy’s unification in 1870. From the scars at Porta Pia to the monumental Vittoriano, architecture and urban planning became tools for shaping national identity. We examine Quintino Sella’s vision for a modern administrative city, Viviani’s delicate balancing of progress and preservation, and the symbolic placement of structures like the Palace of Justice. Discover how Rome’s layered history became a canvas for the ambitions of a new Italy, weaving past and present into a dynamic narrative.

In this episode, we explore Gabriele D’Annunzio’s deep connection with Rome, a city that fueled his vision of a “Latin Renaissance.” From the modernizing chaos of 1880s Rome to the haunting beauty of its ruins, D’Annunzio’s work reflects the tension between tradition and progress. We uncover his fascination with photography, his Parisian literary influences, and his role as both a chronicler and critic of the Eternal City. Discover how D’Annunzio captured Rome’s complexities, creating art that resonates with beauty, decay, and the human spirit.

In this episode, we dive into Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza, a mesmerizing exploration of Rome as a character and a mirror of human frailty. Through Jep Gambardella’s journey, we examine themes of memory, masculinity, and the search for meaning amid beauty and decay. From the grandeur of ancient ruins to the opulence of high society, Sorrentino captures a Rome layered with contradictions. We unpack the film’s visual brilliance, its nods to Fellini, and its haunting question: What is the great beauty we’re all searching for?

In this episode, we uncover the hidden layers of Rome through Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza. Stepping away from iconic landmarks, we explore lesser-seen locations like the Gianicolo and the Verano Cemetery, examining their historical and symbolic significance. From the interplay of beauty and decay to modern performances juxtaposed with ancient ruins, the film reveals a city steeped in contradictions. We delve into how Sorrentino captures the tension between Rome’s grandeur and its melancholy, inviting us to see the Eternal City in a new light.

In this episode, we explore Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza, a cinematic masterpiece that captures the duality of Rome—its grandeur and its emptiness. Through the journey of Jep Gambardella, we examine themes of beauty, isolation, and the fleeting nature of life. From haunting music to evocative locations like the Gianicolo and the Caracalla Baths, the film becomes a meditation on the search for connection amidst chaos. Discover how Sorrentino transforms Rome into a character, reflecting the universal longing for meaning and grace in the modern world.

In this episode, we explore Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, a cinematic farewell to modernist ideals set against the backdrop of Rome’s fractured beauty. Through its episodic structure, the film captures the disillusionment of a world caught between tradition and modernity. We examine Marcello’s journey as a detached observer, the symbolic architecture of Rome, and the haunting final scene’s critique of connection and epiphany. Discover how Fellini dismantles the grand narratives of modernism, offering a fragmented yet profoundly human vision of a changing world.