Roads to Rome takes listeners on a journey through the historical and cultural layers of Rome from the 17th century to the present. Each episode explores a different ‘road,’ focusing on themes like art, architecture, politics, and cinema. Discover how Rome’s transformation has been shaped by global influences and local tensions, from antiquarianism to neorealism, baroque splendor to modernist dreams. Whether you’re an enthusiast of history, film, or urban landscapes, this podcast brings Rome to life.
Italian neorealism wasn’t just a film movement—it was a blueprint for a radically different kind of cinema, one grounded in moral conviction rather than spectacle. In this episode, we explore how neor...
In 19th-century Rome, artists sought to capture nature’s truth just as photography began to redefine it. This episode explores the tension between brush and lens, from the meticulous landscapes of Gio...
In this episode, we unpack Eat Pray Love and its picture-perfect vision of Rome. The film presents the Eternal City as a sun-drenched playground for self-discovery, but does it truly capture its essen...
Rome’s grandeur is legendary, but what about the unseen forces that shaped its modern landscape? In this episode, we uncover abusivismo, the phenomenon of illegal construction that redefined the city ...
In this episode, we explore Pier Paolo Pasolini’s complex relationship with Rome, a city he both revered and rejected. Far from romanticized postcards, his Rome was found in the periphery—shanty towns...
In this episode, we explore how Italian cinema and fashion redefined Rome’s image on the world stage. From the postwar fascination with Hollywood to the rise of La Dolce Vita, Italian filmmakers and d...
How did postwar Rome transform into a global fashion capital, rivaling even Paris? In this episode, we explore the powerful synergy between film, fashion, and the Made in Italy brand. With Cinecittà S...
In this episode, we explore how the people of Rome were seen and depicted in the 19th century, caught between the grandeur of their ancient past and the Catholic world’s influence. From romanticized p...
In this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Palma Bucarelli, the trailblazing director of Rome’s Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna. From safeguarding Italy’s artistic treasures during World W...
In this episode, we uncover the distinct character of Italian pop art, also known as La Scuola di Piazza del Popolo. Emerging alongside American pop art in the 1960s, this movement blended consumer cu...
In this episode, we explore Mussolini’s transformation of Rome into a symbol of fascist power, from monumental avenues like Via dei Fori Imperiali to the creation of EUR. Balancing modernism with clas...
In this episode, we explore how Rome became a battleground of ideas during the rise of fascism in Italy. From the Risorgimento’s vision of a unified capital to the futurists’ disdain for its ruins and...
In this episode, we explore how Mussolini’s vision of a “Third Rome” reshaped the Eternal City during the fascist era. From grand avenues like Via dei Fori Imperiali to the EUR district, Mussolini use...
In this episode, we venture beyond Rome’s iconic landmarks to uncover the fascinating story of its public housing projects. From the early 20th century courtyard blocks of Testaccio to the whimsical G...
In this episode, we explore Elio Petri’s Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, a searing critique of authority and corruption set in Rome during Italy’s turbulent Years of Lead. Following a high...
In this episode, we trace Rome’s transformation from papal stronghold to the capital of a unified Italy. From the revolutionary ideals of 1798 and 1848 to the pivotal breaching of Porta Pia in 1870, w...
In this episode, we delve into the transformation of Rome following Italy’s unification in 1870. From the scars at Porta Pia to the monumental Vittoriano, architecture and urban planning became tools ...
In this episode, we explore Gabriele D’Annunzio’s deep connection with Rome, a city that fueled his vision of a “Latin Renaissance.” From the modernizing chaos of 1880s Rome to the haunting beauty of ...
In this episode, we dive into Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza, a mesmerizing exploration of Rome as a character and a mirror of human frailty. Through Jep Gambardella’s journey, we examine theme...
In this episode, we uncover the hidden layers of Rome through Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza. Stepping away from iconic landmarks, we explore lesser-seen locations like the Gianicolo and the Ve...
