The Fascist Origins of Stazione Ostiense

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Black & white floor mosaic of the Emperor Augustus (1938)

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Stazione Ostiense, one of the city's major railway stations, was built by the Roman architect Roberto Narducci (1887-1979) to honour the state visit to Italy of the German Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, which took place between May 3rd and May 9th, 1938. 

Hitler and his entourage were received at Stazione Ostiense by Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, known as il Duce, and King Vittorio Emanuele III (r. 1900-47). 

On the right side of the station is a huge bas-relief of Bellerophon and Pegasus, the work of the sculptor Francesco Nagni (1897-1977). The entrance is marked by a series of black and white floor mosaics, which illustrate various themes and legends of Rome's history. 

A new road was also built to connect Stazione Ostiense with Porta San Paolo. It was initially called Via A. Hitler, but after the war the road was renamed Viale delle Cave Ardeatine, in commemoration of the 335 Italians who were shot by the Nazis at the Fosse Ardeatine on March 24th, 1944. 

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Bas-relief of Bellerophon and Pegasus by Francesco Nagni

Black & white floor mosaic of the Emperor Augustus