At Palazzo Venezia

Because of Mussolini’s keen interest in Rome’s architectural image, many architects vied for his attention and tried to earn his favour. Arriving on his desk at Palazzo Venezia were dozens of projects sent by some of the most famous architects, as well as by relative unknowns. There was two-way communication between architects and the head of government: the former tended to bypass institutional channels, but often, wishing to affirm his role as the Duce, Mussolini preferred to forgo intermediaries and to exert direct control over matters himself by establishing a one-on-one relationship with an architect. In so doing, he could