Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The local catch is delicious fried as well.
Terry's of Charlevoix
Carlson’s Fishery is a Great Lakes institution.
Carlson’s Fishery
The Cathedral Café maintains the building’s original church exterior.
Cathedral Café
Exterior of the historic Dyffryn Arms pub.
Dyffryn Arms
Most of what’s on the menu here comes from Michigan.
The Glenwood
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Siegfried Tieber specializes in sleight-of-hand magic using small objects, as well as mentalism, which gives the illusion of reading minds.
Does a Magician Really Never Reveal Their Tricks? AO Wants to Know.
11 days ago
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
14 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
18 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Rome Stadio dei Marmi

Stadio dei Marmi

This Italian stadium makes liberal use of fascist statuary to evoke classical sporting arenas.

Rome, Italy

Added By
zackofalltrades
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Stadio dei Marmi   zackofalltrades / Atlas Obscura User
Stadio dei Marmi   zackofalltrades / Atlas Obscura User
Stadio dei Marmi   ho visto nina volare on Flickr
Stadio dei Marmi   zackofalltrades / Atlas Obscura User
Stadio dei Marmi   zackofalltrades / Atlas Obscura User
Stadio dei Marmi   zackofalltrades / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Located in the Foro Italico, an Italian sports complex that was created under the direction of Benito Mussolini, the Stadio dei Marmi is covered in faux Greco-Roman statues that owe more to fascism than to the classical period.  

Construction of the open air stadium was completed in 1928 as a training center for the students of the nearby Academy of Physical Education. The central grass field is ringed by a short stack of cascading stadium seats on the top level of which is a corresponding row of classical athletic statues holding modern sports equipment. As was the classical style the figures stand naked and posed each one holding an implement of their sport, from a cricket bat, to a soccer ball, to a tennis racket, to the more traditional discus. 59 figures in all stand around the top of the playing field giving the overall appearance of a contemporary Greek stadium. Up close however, the figures belie the angular features and severe facial characteristics of more traditional brutalist fascist statuary.

The Stadium has been host to everything from Olympic field hockey to raucous opening ceremonies and continues to be in use today. However it may be remember more for the statues than anything that happens on the field.      

Related Tags

Statues Sports
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

zackofalltrades

Edited By

littlebrumble, The F, kostas1964ath, EricGrundhauser

  • littlebrumble
  • The F
  • kostas1964ath
  • EricGrundhauser

Published

June 9, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadio_dei_Marmi
  • http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187791-d246081-r8824327-Foro_Italico-Rome_Lazio.html
  • http://stadio.dei.marmi.free.fr/
Stadio dei Marmi
Viale dello Stadio dei Marmi
Rome, 00135
Italy
41.93428, 12.457352
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The "Little London"

Rome, Italy

miles away

Hendrik Christian Andersen House Museum

Rome, Italy

miles away

Profondo Rosso

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 144
Stories 24

Nearby Places

The "Little London"

Rome, Italy

miles away

Hendrik Christian Andersen House Museum

Rome, Italy

miles away

Profondo Rosso

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 144
Stories 24

Related Stories and Lists

20 Cinematic Spots in Italy Worthy of a Fellini Film

List

By Winnie Lee

Related Places

  • Budapest, Hungary

    Bud Spencer Statue

    The bronze creation commemorates the life and work of a beloved actor.

  • Elf Freunde Kreisel

    Kaiserslautern, Germany

    Elf Freunde Kreisel

    A team of concrete athletes stands in the middle of a traffic circle.

  • The Lacrosse Players, by Elmer P. Petersen, was dedicated in 1981.

    La Crosse, Wisconsin

    'The Lacrosse Players'

    This downtown statue pays tribute to the Native American game that gave the city of La Crosse its name.

  • A bronze statue of a golden retriever holding two flags in its mouth.

    Ashland, Massachusetts

    Spencer the Marathon Dog Statue

    This sculpture is dedicated to a local therapy dog who later became the official mascot of the 126th Boston Marathon.

  • A front view of the statue from the opposite facing pavement

    Ipswich, England

    Alexander Obolensky Statue

    A bronze and stone statue made to recognize the life and career of a Russian aristocrat turned English rugby player.

  • Boston Marathon Starting Line & Sculpture

    Hopkinton, Massachusetts

    Boston Marathon Starting Line

    This pavement line and accompanying statue commemorates the starting point for the world's oldest annual marathon.

  • Front view of the statue

    Ipswich, England

    Bobby Robson Statue

    A life-sized statue commemorating the former manager of Ipswich's football team.

  • Named after Ozzy Osbourne.

    Birmingham, England

    Ozzy the Bull

    A gigantic mechanical bull rages over unsuspecting passengers at Birmingham’s central station.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.