Modern/Post-War Photos

My favourite Fascist/Modernist building ...

... partly because of pleasant personal associations, but also because it is a fine building in itself. This is Santa Lucia railway terminal, Canareggio, Venice. The present building originated from plans drawn up by the Rationalist architect Mazzoni in the 1920s; the plans evolved through collaboration between Mazzoni and other architects, and much of the work had been completed by the late-1930s, although final completion (if anything in Venice is ever "finally complete") had to await the early 1950s. Apart from its own beauty as a modern building, it manages to fit in surprisingly well with the surrounding Venetian Gothic and Renaissance Classical architecture, not least by showing a low profile. At the same time, the broad facing piazza helps to ensure that the station is a landmark of note. Also, it works very well as a railway station, considering the enormous numbers of people that pass through it each year. One of Fascism's legacies to 21st century Italy is a large number of handsome, practical railway stations. That, of course, and the fact that the trains still run on time ... Best regards, JR.