From Iconoclasm to Museum: Mussolini’s Villa in Rome as a Dictatorial Heritage Site

A recent study reveals that the transformation of Mussolini’s former villa in Rome into a museum reflects shifting public attitudes toward Fascist legacies, challenging official narratives and complicating historical interpretations. The research examines how this heritage site, once a symbol of dictatorial power, now serves as a platform for renegotiating Italy’s contentious past. By analyzing the museum’s display, the study explores whether such sites can actively support or contest dominant historical narratives, shedding light on the socially constructed nature of heritage and its evolving public perception.

Bartolini, F. (2018). From Iconoclasm to Museum: Mussolini’s Villa in Rome as a Dictatorial Heritage Site. Martor. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant Anthropology Review, 23, 163–173. https://doi.org/10.57225/martor.2018.23.09