PODCAST · arts
Roads to Rome
by dml0sc
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.
Episodes
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Neorealism as the Blueprint for World Cinema
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 neorealism’s quiet revolution—its long takes, non-professional actors, and commitment to the...
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Rome’s Changing Light
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 Giovanni Battista Bassi to the bold experiments of painters working en plein air. Against the…
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Postcard Rome
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 essence? We explore how cinematic techniques create an alluring yet curated version of Rome, catering…
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Rome Unbuilt
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 after World War II. From desperate migrants building makeshift homes to powerful developers...
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Pasolini's Rome
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, council housing, and the raw energy of the ragazzi di vita. Through films like Accattone and...
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Cinematic Glamour
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 designers crafted a distinct vision of glamour—rooted in authenticity, heritage, and effortless...
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Fashioning Rome
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 Studios attracting major Hollywood productions and Italian designers redefining elegance, Rome...
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The People of Rome
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 portrayals of the Trastevere neighborhood to photography’s role in shaping a new realism, we…
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Palma Bucarelli
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 War II to championing avant-garde art in a city steeped in tradition, Bucarelli transformed how…
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Gleaning Italian Pop
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 culture with Italy’s rich artistic history. Artists like Renato Mambor and Mario Schifano redefined...
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Building Fascist Rome
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 classical grandeur, architects like Piacentini navigated the tension between progress and tradition.…
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Romanità
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 Mussolini’s calculated embrace of Romanità, we uncover how the city’s rich symbolism was...
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The Third Rome
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 used architecture to tie ancient Roman glory to modern fascist power. We examine his projects,...
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Rome's Public Housing
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 Garbatella and the rationalist Borgate of the fascist era, these neighborhoods reveal the city’s...
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Justice and Power in Rome
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-ranking police official who murders his lover, the film shifts focus from whodunnit to why…
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Revolutionary Rome
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, we uncover how modernity, migration, and shifting allegiances shaped the Eternal City. Exploring...
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Shaping Rome
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 for shaping national identity. We examine Quintino Sella’s vision for a modern administrative…
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D’Annunzio’s Rome
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 its ruins, D’Annunzio’s work reflects the tension between tradition and progress. We uncover his...
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Rome, Nostalgia, and Masculinity
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 themes of memory, masculinity, and the search for meaning amid beauty and decay. From the grandeur of...
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The Hidden Rome of Sorrentino
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 Verano Cemetery, examining their historical and symbolic significance. From the interplay of beauty...
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The Great Beauty
In this episode, we explore Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza, a cinematic masterpiece that captures the duality of Rome—its grandeur and its emptiness. Through the journey of Jep Gambardella, we examine themes of beauty, isolation, and the fleeting nature of life. From haunting music to...
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Spleen of Rome
In this episode, we explore Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, a cinematic farewell to modernist ideals set against the backdrop of Rome’s fractured beauty. Through its episodic structure, the film captures the disillusionment of a world caught between tradition and modernity. We examine…
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Rome Remade
In this episode, we explore Rome’s dramatic transformation from a papal city to the capital of a unified Italy. Starting with the 1883 master plan, we examine how modern urban projects like the Lungotevere embankments reshaped the city while sacrificing historic neighborhoods. From debates on...
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Baroque Spirit in Modern Design
In this episode, we explore Luigi Moretti’s visionary architecture, blending Baroque dynamism with mid-20th-century avant-garde art. Known for his striking designs, Moretti treated buildings as more than structures—they were experiences. From fragmented facades inspired by Art informel to the...
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Monumental Ambitions
In this episode, we explore the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in Rome, often nicknamed “The Wedding Cake” or “The Typewriter.” Built to celebrate Italian unification, this massive structure embodies national pride, architectural ambition, and ideological struggles. From its Beaux-Arts style and...
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Rome Open City
In this episode, we delve into Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City, a groundbreaking film that captured the raw aftermath of Nazi occupation and the resilience of the human spirit. Credited with launching Italian Neorealism, the film blends real locations, non-professional actors, and a...
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Byzantine Chronicles in Modern Rome
In this episode, we explore Cronaca Bizantina, a bold literary journal that captured the energy and upheaval of late 19th-century Rome. Under the savvy publisher Angelo Sommaruga, the journal became a platform for rising stars like Gabriele D’Annunzio and celebrated writers like Giosuè Carducci....
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Benziger’s Holy Merch
In this episode, we explore the Benziger Brothers’ pivotal role in shaping American Catholic visual culture from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Known for outfitting churches with everything from stained glass to statues, Benziger helped create an accessible and distinctly American…
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Catholic Kitsch
In this episode, we explore the world of Catholic kitsch, from mass-produced Saint Sulpice statues to quirky bobblehead nuns. These seemingly simple objects spark debate about art, taste, and faith. Once dismissed as overly sentimental, Catholic kitsch is now seen by some as a way to connect with...
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Exporting Devotion
In this episode, we dive into the thriving sacred art market of 19th-century Rome, where religious paintings and sculptures were produced and shipped worldwide. Orchestrated by Pope Pius IX, artists like Pietro Gagliardi created works that carried both beauty and spiritual power, enhanced by…
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Rome in Mexico
In this episode, we explore 19th-century Mexico’s strategic choice to look to Rome for inspiration in shaping its national art scene. Following independence, Mexico funded artists to study at Rome’s Accademia di San Luca, seeking to adopt its techniques while crafting a unique Mexican identity....
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Envisioning Modern Rome
In this episode, we explore the bold ideas of architect Marcello Piacentini, who sought to balance the preservation of Rome’s historical beauty with the demands of modern urban development. His 1916 essay envisioned a layered Rome, where the ancient, medieval, and modern cities coexist...
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Parallel Lives: Minardi and Overbeck
In this episode, we explore the intertwined lives of Friedrich Overbeck and Tommaso Minardi, two leading figures of 19th-century religious art. Both artists rejected the secular trends of their time, striving to revive the spiritual depth of Renaissance masters. Overbeck’s minimalist, abstract...
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Purism Unveiled
In this episode, we delve into the world of Purism through the life and work of Tommaso Minardi, a central figure in 19th-century Italian art. Minardi emphasized the importance of drawing as the purest form of artistic expression. His admiration for the early Renaissance “primitives” like Giotto...
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Entwined Visions
In this episode, we explore the artistic partnership between Friedrich Overbeck, leader of the Nazarene movement, and sculptor Karl Hoffmann, whose works found a lasting home at Ushaw College. We dive into how their shared vision shaped religious art during the 19th-century Catholic revival in...
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The Nazarenes
In this episode, we dive into the story of the Nazarenes, a 19th-century art movement that sought to blend religious reverence with rebellion against the secular art trends of their time. These German artists, disillusioned with the Enlightenment’s influence, moved to Rome to reconnect with the...
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Sacred Art at Saint Sulpice
In this episode, we explore the evolution of religious art in France from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, focusing on the transition from Saint Sulpice’s vibrant, mass-produced statues to the minimalist forms of modern sacred art. We discuss how figures like Maurice Denis and Father...
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Fabiola Fever
In this episode, we dive into the surprising legacy of Fabiola, a 19th-century novel that became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring artists, sculptors, and even entire exhibitions. From Edward von Steinle’s paintings to Stefano Galletti’s neoclassical sculptures, Fabiola ignited a wave of…
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Martyr of Modernity
In this episode, we explore a fascinating moment at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair, where Pope Pius IX commissioned a replica of the Roman catacombs. We delve into why the papacy chose to display this morbid yet symbolic exhibit at a time when progress and innovation were on full display. Through…
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Refashioning Baroque
In this episode, we explore the vibrant spectacle of 17th-century Rome, where the city itself became a stage for grand festivals and elaborate celebrations. Architects like Bernini designed temporary structures, known as ephemeral architecture, transforming Rome into a theatrical wonder.…
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Arcadian Architecture
In this episode, we are focusing on how 18th-century Rome’s apartment buildings embodied ideals of simplicity, harmony, and beauty. Architects like Raguzzini approached these structures with a sense of balance and integration, blending them seamlessly into the city’s urban landscape. From the use...
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Shaping Your Own Museum
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating rivalry between Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen through the eyes of William Cavendish, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Exploring his collection at Chatsworth House, we discover how the Duke’s personal taste and diaries reveal his preference for...
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Layers of Rome
In this episode, we explore the 19th-century artistic rediscovery of Rome, focusing on how artists captured the city’s complex layers of history, from its ancient ruins to its Christian heritage. Far from the polished tourist sites we know today, these artists engaged with a Rome that was both...
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Neoclassical Rome
In this episode, we delve into the world of neoclassicism, exploring its complex and dynamic history. Far beyond Roman columns and Grecian robes, we uncover how neoclassical artists navigated the intersection of tradition, innovation, and moral purpose. Through debates about beauty, power...
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Refashioning Fashism
In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the “Square Colosseum.” Originally designed as a symbol of Mussolini’s fascist regime, the building has undergone a dramatic transformation over the decades, from a political monument to the...
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The Square Colosseum
In this episode, we explore how the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the “Square Colosseum,” has been reimagined in four different films. Once a symbol of Mussolini’s fascist ideology, this imposing structure has since become a versatile canvas for directors like Fellini, Greenaway,...
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A Tale of Two Sculptors
In this episode, we explore the legendary rivalry between two titans of neoclassical sculpture, Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen. Both masters of their craft, they transformed the art of sculpture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with their contrasting styles—Canova’s sensual,...
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Saint Paul is Burning
In this episode, we explore the dramatic rebirth of the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le mura after its devastating fire in 1823. From the ancient connection to Saint Paul’s tomb to the architectural debates following the disaster, we uncover the story of how this sacred site was transformed. The...
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Arcadian Classicism
In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of Arcadian Classicism in 18th-century Rome. Far from the typical grand narratives of ruins and gladiators, we uncover how the Accademia dell’Arcadia (Arcadian Academy) sought to harmonize classical ideals with the intellectual spirit of the...
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Baroquemania
In this episode, we explore the rise of Baroquemania in late 19th and early 20th-century Italy, a period when the once-dismissed Baroque style made a dramatic comeback. We examine how Italy, newly unified and seeking a national identity, turned to Baroque art and architecture as symbols of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
dml0sc
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Roads to Rome have?
Roads to Rome currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Roads to Rome about?
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...
How often does Roads to Rome release new episodes?
Roads to Rome has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Roads to Rome?
You can listen to Roads to Rome on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Roads to Rome?
Roads to Rome is created and hosted by dml0sc.
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