The Esposizione universale was a planned World's Fair that was intended to be held in Rome in 1942. The fair was intended to celebrate twenty years of Italian fascism under Benito Mussolini.[1]
Although extensive preparations were made under Italy's Fascist government, the exhibition was cancelled in June 1941, following the entry of Italy into World War II in 1940.[2] [3] [4]
A "Universal Science" exhibition, to be held at the Palazzo della Scienza Universale, was to be one of the main attractions of the fair.[5]
A substantial area of Rome named the Esposizione Universale Roma, also known as E42 or EUR, was developed in preparation for the fair. The design was inspired, according to the fascist ideology, by Roman Imperial town planning,[6] Numerous buildings were commissioned as part of the project, including the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. A massive 240-metre-tall "Arch of Empire" was intended to mark the entrance to the fair.[1]