Obj. ID: 52098
Modern Jewish Art  Fosse Ardeatine Mausoleum Complex in Rome, Italy - Entrance

To the main object: Fosse Ardeatine Mausoleum Complex in Rome, Italy

Description

Just before reaching the entrance gate to the complex is a small widening of the via delle Sette Chiese with a bus stop, and a small area for parking. This is named Largo Martiri delle Fosse Ardeatine.

The bronze entrance gate is set at the edge of a small plaza paved with stone slabs, and set in a bronze frame, into a stone wall of large polygonal brown pozzolana blocks. The complex abstract design of a mesh of swirling intersecting ribbon-like strands was designed by Mirko Basaldella. The sculptor explained that his inspiration came from strands of barbed wire, the entanglement of the heaps of discovered bodies, and the more graceful forms of a tree of life.

To the left, overlooking the plaza and the gate, and visible from the road outside the memorial complex, is a 6-meter-high sculpture carved in travertine, titled The Three Ages of Man by Francesco Coccia.

Inscriptions

On a bronze plaque to the left of the gate (Italian)

QUESTO TEMPIO DEL SACRIFICIO – PROMOSSO
DALL’A.N.F.I.M. – REALIZZATO E INAUGURATO –
IL 24 MARZO 1949 – DA UMBERTO TUPINI –
MINISTRO DEL LL. PP. –È SACRARIO DEI
MARTIRI ARDEATINI – MAUSOLEO NAZIONALE
DI TUTTI – I CADUTI – NELLA LOTTA DI LIBERA-
ZIONE – PER DARE LIBERTÀ E INDIPENDENZA –
ALL PATRIA

Translation: This temple of sacrifice – promoted by A.N.F.I.M. [Associazione Nazionale Famiglie Italiane Martiri (National Association of Italian Families of Martyrs)]– created and inaugurated – on March 24, 1949 – by Umberto Tupini – Minister of ll. Pp. – is a shrine to the Ardeatine martyrs – national mausoleum of all – the fallen – in the fight for liberation – to give freedom and independence – to the homeland.