The Twenty-year Period Architecture
In the twenty-year period between the two world wars, many engineers and architects worked to give the city a monumental and in some cases "modern" aspect, in line with the requests of the most advanced European rationalist movement. In Forlì, the Province capital and Benito Mussolini hometown (originally from Predappio), many architectural and artworks of that time still stand, despite the many transformations that the city undertook, both from a building and a city planning stand point.
The main creators of the new Forma Urbis were Roman architects such as Cesare Bazzani (Postal building, State Offices building, and War Memorial) and Cesare Valle (O.N.B. House then G.I.L. House, and the Aeronautical Academy) or local designers such as Arnaldo Fuzzi (I.T.I.S. Agricultural Station, I.N.A. Buildings).
In that period, new public buildings were built along with commemorative monuments.
Arriving from Cesena to Forlì from Via Emilia, it is possible to admire several examples of these monuments and buildings. Once in Piazzale della Vittoria, the War Memorial stands out immediately with its monumental votive column that celebrates fascism and heroism with carved bas-relief by Bernardino Boifava. On the right hand side it is possible to find the former Aeronautical Academy "B. Musssolini", guarded by the statue dedicated to Icaro; in front of it the Bazzani and Benini villas, with belvedere towers, marking access to the historic downtown. Continuing on Corso della Repubblica, it is possible to reach Piazza Saffi, at the end of the road. On the left hand side, it is possible to find the State Offices building and next to it the Postal Office Palace, which was built in lieu of several buildings and constructed slightly behind the demolished houses to give greater emphasis to the San Mercuriale Abbey and the Paolucci – De Calboli Palace.
From Piazzale della Vittoria a series of roads lead to the Railway Station passing through Viale della Libertà, where it is possible to find, on the right hand side, the Balilla House, then called G.I.L. "A. Mussolini", the State Industrial and Technical Institute and the I.N.C.I.S. houses, as well as Railroaders houses. On the left hand side, it is possible to find Villa Boni, the Post-Office employee houses and the Elementary School, as well as the Train Station, designed by Ezio Bianchi.
Ufficio IAT
Tel. +39 0543 712435 - fax +39 0543 712755
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.turismoforlivese.it
