The icon building of EUR
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (Palace of Italian Civilization), known to everyone as the "Colosseo Quadrato" (Square Colosseum), is the signature building of the EUR district and one of the most instantly recognizable images of 20th-century Rome. A commanding block of white travertine, marked by six rows of arches on each of its four sides, it looks like a Colosseum reduced to pure geometry — hence the nickname. Standing alone at the center of a wide piazza, it feels like a metaphysical monument, suspended outside of time.
Numbers and details
The building's proportions are striking:
- Six arches across and nine down on every façade (a nod, by tradition, to the letters in the name "Benito Mussolini").
- Clad entirely in travertine, the quintessential Roman stone.
- At the base, allegorical statues representing the arts, the trades, and the virtues.
- A celebratory inscription runs along the top.
The regular repetition of the arches creates a hypnotic effect that photographers adore.
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From World's Fair pavilion to Fendi headquarters
Built between the late 1930s and the early 1940s for the World's Fair of 1942 (which never took place), the palace is today the headquarters of the Fendi maison, which restored it and turned it into its own home base. This "rebirth" put it back at the center of international attention as a symbol of made in Italy and design. The building is generally visible and easy to photograph from the outside; the interiors occasionally host exhibitions and events.
Why it became an icon
The Colosseo Quadrato is beloved for several reasons:
- It's the purest example of EUR's Rationalist architecture.
- Its repeating arches make it extraordinarily photogenic.
- It has served as a set for films and fashion campaigns.
- It embodies the dialogue between Roman tradition (the Colosseum, the travertine) and the modernity of the 20th century.
How to see it
The Colosseo Quadrato stands in EUR, reachable by Metro Line B (between EUR Magliana and EUR Palasport). It's free to admire from the outside, on the piazza, at any hour: in the evening, lit up, it's especially striking. To find your way, see our guide on how to get to EUR.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Colosseo Quadrato? It's the nickname of the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana in Rome's EUR district: a Rationalist building in white travertine with six rows of arches per side, resembling a geometric Colosseum. Today it's the headquarters of Fendi.
Why is it called the Colosseo Quadrato? Because of its cube-like shape and its repeating arches, which echo the Colosseum but in a "squared off," regular version.
Can you visit the inside? It's the Fendi headquarters; the interiors occasionally host exhibitions and events. The building is, in any case, free to view and photograph from the outside, on the piazza.
When was it built? Between the late 1930s and the early 1940s, for the World's Fair of 1942, which was never held because of the war.
How do you get to the Colosseo Quadrato? By Metro Line B (between EUR Magliana and EUR Palasport) and a short walk, or with a private driver.
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Article #420 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026