Understanding Fascism and Fascist Architecture
Fascist architecture is a style of architecture developed by architects of fascist societies in the early 20th century. The
style gained popularity in the late 1920s with the rise of modernism along with the nationalism associated with fascist
governments in Western Europe. The style resembles that of ancient Rome. However, the fascist-era buildings lack
ostentatious design, and were constructed with symmetry, simplicity, and a general lack of ornateness. Both Benito
Mussolini and Adolf Hitler utilized the new style of architecture as one of many ways to unify the citizens of their nations
and attempt to mark a new era of nationalist culture, and to exhibit the absolute rule of the nation.[1]
Today, new fascist architecture is scarce because of the axis powers' defeat
in World War II. The fascist political ideology quickly went into decline along with the
style of architecture after World War II. As a result, the post-fascist era has yielded
nearly no new edifices of this style.
History[edit]
The fascist style of architecture reflects the values of Fascism as a political ideology that developed in the early 20th
century after World War I. The philosophy is defined by a strong nationalist people governed by
a totalitarian government. With regards to morals, a fascist society views the nation and race as supreme, and
considers them more important than the individual. A fascist nation purges all cultures and ideas not descending from
the history of the national culture.[2] The vision of a strong, unified, and economically stable nation seemed appealing to
western Europe after the physical and economic destruction after World War I, which contributed to the rise of fascism
andcorporatism.
Italian and German Fascism
Fascist architecture became popular under Benito Mussolini's rule of Italy from 1922 to 1943. Within this period he
transformed the Italian executive role from that of a prime minister to a dictatorship. A few years after his taking of office
he was referred to as Il Duce (the leader). When Mussolini took office, he took on the role of bringing about fascism
and idealism to replace democracy in Italy. He utilized all forms of media along with architectural identity. The new
modernist style of architecture was one way to help build his vision of a unified fascist Italy. When Mussolini called for a
fascist style of architecture, architects used the style to imitate that of imperial Rome and to bring historical pride and a
sense of nationalism to the Italian people. Fascist architecture was one of many ways for Mussolini to invigorate a
cultural rebirth in Italy and to mark a new era of Italian culture under fascism.[3][4][5][6]
Similarly, once Hitler came to power in 1933 and transformed the German Chancellory to a dictatorship, he used fascist
architecture as one of many tools to help unify and nationalize Germany under his rule. Hitler had plans to rebuild Berlin
after the axis powers won World War II under the name Germania, or Welthauptstadt Germania. Hitler had his favorite
architect, Albert Speer, design this new metropolis using fascist architecture design.[7]
Style
Fascist styled architecture is a branch of modernist architecture which became popular
in the early 20th century. The fascist style was also greatly influenced by the rationalist
movement in Italy in the 1920s. Rationalist architecture, with the help of Italian
government support, celebrated the new fascist age of culture and government in
Italy.[8]
In Nazi Germany, the extremely large and spacious Fascist architecture was one way envisioned by Hitler to unify
Germany by designing structures for what he described as "mass experiences" in which thousands of citizens could
gather and take part in the patriotism of community events and listen to speeches made by Adolf Hitler and other Nazi
party leaders.
The fascist style of architecture was very similar to the ancient Roman style. Fascist buildings were generally very large
and symmetric with sharp non-rounded edges. The buildings purposefully conveyed a sense of awe and intimidation
through their size, and were made of limestone and other durable stones in order to last the entirety of the fascist era.
The buildings were also very plain with little or no decoration and lacked any complexity in design. These generalities of
fascist architecture contributed to the simple aesthetics the edifices display. All these aspects helped the fascist
dictatorships exhibit absolute and total rule of the population. Hitler and Mussolini used fascist architecture as another
source of propaganda to display to the world the strength, pride, and power their regimes had.
Architects
The most prominent Italian and German fascist architects of the era were Giuseppe Terragni, Marcello Piacentini, and
Albert Speer.

Giuseppe Terragni – Notable work of Terragni includes the Casa
del Fascio

Marcello Piacentini – Notable work of Piacentini includes the
fascist district EUR, Rome

Albert Speer – Speer was Hitler's favorite German architect. He
designed the Zeppelinfeld Stadium and had plans of rebuilding Berlin,
using fascist style architecture, around a massive hall called
the Volkshalle
For our area of study we will focus on Albert Speer and his work in
Germany
Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_architecture
Albert Speer and 'the Buildings of Adolf Hitler'
Answer the following questions. Use your own words to show your understanding of
the information.
1.
What is Hitler's philosophy (ideas) of architecture? Where did it come from?
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2. How did the buildings show National Socialism? What did they want to represent? Refer to figures 46-49.
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3. What was the connection between 'the Buildings of Adolf Hitler' and ordinary people in Germany?
4. Is there other written, photographic or film evidence which will support the points you want to make?
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5. Does the term 'fascist architecture' apply to Speer's projects? If so, how?
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6. Can you think of a different style of architecture which would have expressed National Socialism so
successfully? Give reasons.
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Key Terms – Draw a picture in the box to help you remember!
Philosophy
Architecture
Adolf Hitler
National Socialism
Fascist Architecture
Albert Speer