The Eternal City Guide & Souvenir of Rome

“Though art a world, oh Rome, but without love Rome is not Rome, just as the world is not the world.” – Goethe

This interesting tourism guide to Rome was issued in the early years of the First Italian Republic, when the wounds of the Second World War were still fresh in the minds of all. The introduction recognizes this fact; “Now-a-days besides the charm of its spiritual force, Rome exerts on the Anglo-Saxon world another force equally powerful: the voice of blood.”

The next several pages are dedicated to photographs of cemeteries, monuments, and other forms of commemoration for the lost Allied soldiers. A chronology of ‘Leading Events in Roman History’ follows, with all mention of happening between 1929 and 1947 conveniently omitted. The guidebook then makes no further reference to the conflict and carries on with itineraries, photographs, historic descriptions, and other information of assistance to the local tourist.

To the back cover is affixed a fold-out map that illustrates many of the Eternal City’s most recognizable landmarks. It’s oriented with south at the top, like to highlight the close relationship with the nearby port of Ostia, through which many tourists travel on their way to Rome.