A Short History Of The Stone Pines Of Rome

The wind moves and bends the pines.

Turn around in any open view of the centre of Rome and you will see architecture spanning thousands of years. And somewhere in the view you will probably see stone pines.

Rome and stone pines go together like a horse and carriage.

Stone pines (Pinus Pinea) are native to the Mediterranean. The Romans planted them in Rome for the aesthetic look of them and for their edible pine nuts. That’s ancient history and probably not surprising.

Now fast forward to the 1930s, and Benito Mussolini, the leader of the National Fascist Party and the prime minister of Italy from 1922 until 1943.

Mussolini ordered a lot of public works projects to showcase his vision of a powerful and modern Italy, including the Parco della Rimembranza, with more than 1,200 stone pines.

Mussolini personally oversaw the planning and planting of the park, and now the pines are nearing the end of their lifespan.

There is talk of whether to replace them or make a break with the remnants of a fascist past.

Is there anything we can look at without the past colouring what we see?