Via dei Fori Imperiali

The Via dei Fori Imperiali leads from the Piazza Venezia to the Colloseum. It grants its name to the Fori Imperiali or the imperial forums, which it passes through. Plans have been proposed to tear open the street in order to re-unite the forums, allowing for the creation of one great archeological park in Rome’s historic center. There are also hopes of digging up more remnants of the imperial forums in the soil beneath the road.

Mussolini’s road

Via dei Fori Imperiali was originally built by Mussolini, Italy’s dictator during the second World War. Mussolini’s street got the name Via dell’Impero, as a reference to the old Roman empire he saw as the predecessor of his own empire. With Mussolini’s offices at Piazza Venezia, the street ran straight from the old, historic part of Rome to his doorstep – allowing for a clear view of the Colosseum.

Part of a medieval suburb had to be torn down for the construction of Via dell’Impero, forcing about 4 000 inhabitants to move.

The road was party intended to be used for military marches, to be held after decisive victories in World War II. He intended to show Rome’s grandeur to Hitler, with his Italian armies marching against a backdrop of the ancient Roman monuments.

Mussolini never actually got to use the street, but at the end of the war the Americans used it to march into Rome. 

The Via dell’Impero was later renamed to its current name – Via dei Fori Imperiali.