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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In this episode, we explore Rome’s dramatic transformation from a papal city to the capital of a unified Italy. Starting with the 1883 master plan, we examine how modern urban projects like the Lungotevere embankments reshaped the city while sacrificing historic neighborhoods. From debates on “building thinning” to balancing ancient ruins with modern needs, we uncover how Rome became a city of layers, blending past and future. Discover the tension between progress and preservation in a city where history is always present.
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In this episode, we explore Luigi Moretti’s visionary architecture, blending Baroque dynamism with mid-20th-century avant-garde art. Known for his striking designs, Moretti treated buildings as more than structures—they were experiences. From fragmented facades inspired by Art informel to the dramatic play of light recalling Caravaggio, Moretti challenged perceptions of space and stability. We delve into how his works, like Casa Albergo and Villa Saracena, redefined architecture as a dialogue between emotion, innovation, and tradition.
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In this episode, we explore the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in Rome, often nicknamed “The Wedding Cake” or “The Typewriter.” Built to celebrate Italian unification, this massive structure embodies national pride, architectural ambition, and ideological struggles. From its Beaux-Arts style and symbolic placement near the Roman Forum to its later appropriation by Mussolini, the Vittoriano reflects the complexities of Italy’s identity. We delve into its construction, controversies, and how monuments shape our understanding of history and power.
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In this episode, we delve into Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City, a groundbreaking film that captured the raw aftermath of Nazi occupation and the resilience of the human spirit. Credited with launching Italian Neorealism, the film blends real locations, non-professional actors, and a documentary feel to portray resistance. We discuss Rossellini’s complex use of fascist-era techniques to deliver an anti-fascist message, the role of faith, and how characters like Don Pietro and Pina embody defiance, unity, and sacrifice in the face of oppression.
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In this episode, we explore Cronaca Bizantina, a bold literary journal that captured the energy and upheaval of late 19th-century Rome. Under the savvy publisher Angelo Sommaruga, the journal became a platform for rising stars like Gabriele D’Annunzio and celebrated writers like Giosuè Carducci. Blending art, scandal, and politics, Cronaca Bizantina navigated the clash between tradition and modernity, making waves with its provocative stories and public feuds. Discover how this short-lived publication left an indelible mark on Rome’s cultural landscape.
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In this episode, we explore the Benziger Brothers’ pivotal role in shaping American Catholic visual culture from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Known for outfitting churches with everything from stained glass to statues, Benziger helped create an accessible and distinctly American Catholic aesthetic. We discuss how their catalog evolved with cultural shifts, blending tradition with modernity, and how they navigated debates about authenticity and mass production. Discover how one company’s vision left a lasting mark on the visual language of American faith.
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In this episode, we explore the world of Catholic kitsch, from mass-produced Saint Sulpice statues to quirky bobblehead nuns. These seemingly simple objects spark debate about art, taste, and faith. Once dismissed as overly sentimental, Catholic kitsch is now seen by some as a way to connect with tradition and create personal expressions of devotion. We dive into the history, cultural shifts, and layers of meaning in religious kitsch, questioning what these objects reveal about faith, identity, and the evolving line between sacred and secular.
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In this episode, we dive into the thriving sacred art market of 19th-century Rome, where religious paintings and sculptures were produced and shipped worldwide. Orchestrated by Pope Pius IX, artists like Pietro Gagliardi created works that carried both beauty and spiritual power, enhanced by papal blessings and indulgences. Through partnerships with influential patrons, such as the Jesuits, Rome became the global hub for Catholic art, exporting faith and religious iconography to parishes across Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
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In this episode, we explore 19th-century Mexico’s strategic choice to look to Rome for inspiration in shaping its national art scene. Following independence, Mexico funded artists to study at Rome’s Accademia di San Luca, seeking to adopt its techniques while crafting a unique Mexican identity. Figures like Pellegrín Clavé and Manuel Vilar brought back not only skills but a vision that merged Mexican and Roman styles. This cultural exchange reveals how art served as both a bridge and a statement of national pride, blending legacy and innovation.
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In this episode, we explore the bold ideas of architect Marcello Piacentini, who sought to balance the preservation of Rome’s historical beauty with the demands of modern urban development. His 1916 essay envisioned a layered Rome, where the ancient, medieval, and modern cities coexist harmoniously. We dive into his ambitious plans for green spaces, transportation, and urban expansion while preserving the soul of the city. Discover how Piacentini’s vision still resonates today in our approach to modernizing historical cities.
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In this episode, we explore the intertwined lives of Friedrich Overbeck and Tommaso Minardi, two leading figures of 19th-century religious art. Both artists rejected the secular trends of their time, striving to revive the spiritual depth of Renaissance masters. Overbeck’s minimalist, abstract style contrasted with Minardi’s more realistic approach, yet both aimed to express deep spiritual truths. We examine how their friendship and differing visions shaped the Purist movement, leaving a lasting impact on religious art in Europe.
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