Author(s)

M. Rasulo

Abstract

The construction of Naples’ Maritime Station was carried out during the Fascist regime; it was part of a much greater and more ambitious plan, including the complete renewal and improvement of the city’s harbour, in order to transform it into one of the main harbours of the nation and of the whole Mediterranean basin. As the strength of the regime was based on a wide propaganda, all the main works carried out during the two Fascist decades have been thoroughly documented in the newspapers of the time, reporting the placing of the first stone, the works’ progress and the inauguration ceremonies. The construction of Naples’ Maritime Station is no exception, and from the newspapers of the time we can unveil many details related to its erection. During the Second World War, Naples was one of the most bombed cities in Italy, especially the harbour, being a military target; all the area was completely destroyed, including the Maritime Station. During the period of reconstruction, the problems of the harbour, occupied by the allies, were constantly treated in the newspapers of the time, as it was regarded as a main element for the recovery of the local economy. As soon as the allies left the harbour area to the new Italian administration where the Maritime Station was, it was decided to rebuild it as it was, and the newspapers of the time give us much precious information about the evolution of its re-establishment. This study is a complete historical picture of all the events concerning the building of Naples’ Maritime Station from 1933 to 1946 through the documents of the regional newspapers of the time, kept in the two newspaper libraries of Naples. Keywords: heritage architecture, Maritime Station, Cesare Bazzani, fascism.

Keywords

heritage architecture, Maritime Station, Cesare Bazzani, fascism.