Predappio
| Predappio | ||
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| Comune | ||
| Comune di Predappio | ||
Palazzo Varano, the town hall of Predappio
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 Predappio
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| Coordinates: 44°06′N 11°59′E / 44.100°N 11.983°ECoordinates: 44°06′N 11°59′E / 44.100°N 11.983°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna | |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Forlì-Cesena (FC) | |
| Frazioni | Predappio Alta, Fiumana, Sant'Agostino, San Cassiano, San Savino, Santa Marina, Tontola, Trivella | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Giorgio Frassineti | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 91 km2 (35 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 91 m (299 ft) | |
| Population (31 December 2013) | ||
| • Total | 6,486 | |
| • Density | 71/km2 (180/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 47016 | |
| Dialing code | 0543 | |
| Website | Official website | |
Predappio is a town and comune in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in the region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy, with a population of 6,486 (2013). The town is best known for being the birthplace of Benito Mussolini, dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943. Mussolini is buried at Predappio, and his mausoleum is a local tourist destination, as well as a site of pilgrimage for Italian Fascists.
From its origins (possibly Roman) until the 1920s, Predappio was a rural town of modest size, situated on the hills of Forlì. Augustus divided Italy into eleven provinces and Predappio was within the sixth province. It is believed that the town name derives from the installation in those locations of an ancient Roman family: the Appi. The town was accordingly named Praesidium Domini Appi, abbreviated to Pre.DiAppi.
Historically the town developed around the medieval castle, looking down the valley. Along the valley, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Predappio, the town was known as Dovia (probably a corruption of the local Roman road Duo Via, Two-Way).
Benito Mussolini was born in Predappio in 1883. After a landslide hit the town in the winter of 1923/24 and left many people homeless, the government decided to build a bigger, more prestigious township to celebrate the birthplace of Mussolini, following the architectural dictates of the emerging Fascist regime. Along with the nearby town of Forlì, Predappio was given the title of La Città del Duce ("the city of the Leader").
Predappio has become a site of pilgrimage for Italian and other neofascists, with this development drawing criticism and protests from anti-fascists.
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Wikipedia