Hidden Rome | Colosseo Quadrato & Fendi: the jewel of the EUR

Camp in the nerve center of EUR, proud and imposing, set in the lush greenery of one of the most beautiful, modern and lively areas of the Eternal City...

We take you to discover the Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro, a superb example of the rationalist architecture of the fascist period.
The building, 63 meters high, has a square and rational shape, which reflects, precisely, the monumental fascist style, and a façade with 54 arches.

The emblematic epigraph on the facade is the history and symbol of the neighbourhood: «a people of poets, artists, heroes / saints, thinkers, scientists / navigators and transmigrators».

The perfect symmetry, as well as the choice and placement of the 54 arches, is not accidental: The perfect symmetry, as well as the choice and placement of the 54 arches, is not accidental 9 in line and 6 in column are positioned along each facade. The nine (9) and the six (6) had the aim of recalling, at a glance, the number of letters in Benito's name and surname (6) Mussolini (9).

The arches also recall the iconic Colosseum of Rome, summarizing the essential partnership between ancient Roman greatness and the innovation that fascism wanted to bring: The arches also recall the iconic Colosseum of Rome, summarizing the essential partnership between ancient Roman greatness and the innovation that fascism wanted to bring It was from here that the Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro also took the name of the Square Colosseum.

Last curiosity: to further seal this bond, the choice of travertine that covers the reinforced concrete of the building, a traditional material imposed by the regime to enhance the Italian identity and the grandeur of the past.

Under the porticoes on the ground floor there are 28 statues, allegorical representations of Italian talents and crafts(l’heroism, music, craftsmanship, political genius).The reason is simple: during the Universal Exposition of 1942, later canceled due to the advent of the Second World War, the Palace should have hosted the Exhibition of Italian Civilization.

Today the Square Colosseum hosts Fendi's headquarters in Rome: after 72 years of abandonment, it came back to life in 2015 thanks to the fashion house.

Entry is permitted only on particular occasions and only in the part of the exhibition space of the Maison Fendi open to the public to «celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of the Italian genius».

If you want more information you can write to us at [email protected], we will be happy to help you.