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INTRODUCTION
AIR-RAID SHELTERS AND BUNKERS IN ROME
Between the end of the '30s and the beginning of the '40s of the last
century, armoured defensive structures were built in Rome thinking of
possible air-raid attacks with the dreaded use of chemical weapons: not
only shelters for general population, like those created in the
basements of apartment blocks throughout many cities, but true bunkers
for the élite, planned to guarantee the safety of the political and
military leaders. But above all there was Mussolini's predilection,
wanting to emulate Hitler, for underground defensive structures. Lastly
should be recalled the presence in Rome of the Savoy's Royal House.
THE CREATION OF A NETWORK
Currently twelve air-raid shelters and bunkers have been documented in
the Capital, almost all built by Mussolini. Three are located in Villa
Torlonia; the other nine in Palazzo Venezia, Villa Camilluccia, Palazzo
Valentini, Vittoriano, Palazzo Esercito, Palazzo degli Uffici, Villa
Ada, Termini railway station and via Genova (barracks of the firemen).
An extraordinary historical and architectonic heritage left in the dark
till now, that we aim to recover and valorize through the creation of a
network.
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