Monument To The Fallen by Giuseppe Terragni

In the 1930s, the National Fascist Party became a bigger and bigger factor in the political landscape of Italy. Their influence found its expression in modern buildings, in contrast to Nazi Germany which preferred traditional, stately architecture. In 1931, Giuseppe Terragni and his brother were asked by the fascists to design a monument for the victims of World War I. Their design was based on a sketch of the Italian futurist Antonio Sant'Elia, whose sketches showed modernity, dynamics and speed. Most of his designs were never built, but his futurist vision has influenced many architects. Made of Serizzo granite and Nabresina marble, the monument has a surface polished like a mirror and shows that the Terragni brothers have skillfully adapted Sant'Elia's vision.