11.07.2014
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| Casa di Cola di Rienzo Deatil |
Another fascinating example of how the city of Rome has been growing and
overgrowing itself in every aspect, from urban to political, is the so-called
Casa di Cola di Rienzo. This building is an end of an urban block redeveloped
by Mussolini, and the only remain from the Middle Ages in this area, that the
dictator chose to keep. Across the street from the Temple of Portunis and the
Temple of Hercules Victor, the early 11th century Casa di Cola di
Renzo is shadowed by glorious architecture from the time of the Empire. But it is
telling us much more.
The house is an example of urban recycling where pieces of marble came
from different ancient monuments that might have not survived. Though impossible
to trace their individual routes, we discover the unique attitude towards
non-church and castle architecture in the Medieval period. That is perhaps why
the period was until recently called “the Dark Ages”, mainly implying a lack of
respect for Ancient Rome and Greece, later to be glorified in the Renaissance. Another
historical misunderstanding as the absence of nostalgia at times in history, is
a healthy process of digestion.
Built and owned by a powerful Crescenzi family,
casa di Cola di Rienzo was a symbol of social status but also the way in which
the family admired ancient history. The inscription above the door says that
the house was built to “renovate the ancient dignity of Rome”.
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