Fascist Venice

Site Visits

• The Lido (the Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria; the Liberty Villa Romanelli and Villa dei Padri Armeni; the Grand Hotel des Bains; the Palazzo del Casinò; and the Palazzo del Cinema)Link opens in a new window
• Piazzale Roma, the Ponte della Libertà, the Rio Novo, and the Stazione di Venezia Santa LuciaLink opens in a new window

Seminar Questions

• What were the key changes in Venice and the Veneto between 1919 and 1945?
• What impacts did Fascist rule have on Venice and Venetians?

Core Reading

NB Each of you should read ALL THREE chapters by Bosworth AND the chapter by Ferris.

• Bosworth, R.J.B., "Chapter 5: Peace and the Imposition of Fascism on Venice, 1919–1930" in Italian Venice: A HistoryLink opens in a new window (New Haven, 2015)
• Bosworth, R.J.B., "Chapter 6: Venice between Volpi and Mussolini, 1930–1940" in Italian Venice: a A HistoryLink opens in a new window (New Haven, 2015)
• Bosworth, R.J.B., "Chapter 7: Venice, Nazi-Fascist War and American Peace, 1940–1948" in Italian Venice: A HistoryLink opens in a new window (New Haven, 2015)
• Ferris, Kate, "Chapter 1: ‘Elbow to Elbow’: Venetian Life Between the Wars" in Everyday Life in Fascist Venice, 1929-40Link opens in a new window (Basingstoke, 2012)

Recommended Reading

See the Talis Reading ListLink opens in a new window.

Electronic Resources

• The History of MestreLink opens in a new window
• Industrial GiudeccaLink opens in a new window
• The Pietre d'inciampo projectLink opens in a new window. 'Stumbling stones' mark the final voluntary residence of the victims of Fascism/Nazism. For an interactive map of their location in Venice with biographical notes of the victims, see hereLink opens in a new window.
• Many short films and newsreels about Venice are available via the Archivio LuceLink opens in a new window. They include:
  • Il ponte che unisce Venezia a MestreLink opens in a new window. Istituto Luce, 1931. [Work on the road bridge between Venice and Mestre]
  • A Venezia si sperimentano nuovi containerLink opens in a new window. Istituto Luce, 1931. [Venice and the introduction of transport containers]
  • Opere del fascismo - L'ospedale al mare sul lido di VeneziaLink opens in a new window. Istituto Luce, 1932. [Fascist projects: the hospital by the sea on the Lido]
  • Venice's isolation ended without any offense to its divine beautyLink opens in a new window. Istituto Luce, 1933. [The opening of the road bridge between Venice and Mestre ]
  • The meeting of Hitler and Mussolini in Venice in 1934, hereLink opens in a new window and hereLink opens in a new window.
  • Venezia minoreLink opens in a new window. Directed by Francesco Pasinetti. Istituto Luce, 1942.
  • Venezia InsorgeLink opens in a new window. Istituto Luce, 1945. [Film of the uprising against Nazi-Fascist rule]

Hitler and Mussolini at the Lido Airport, 14 June 1934