For balance, I'd like to include some 20th-century content when visiting Rome (also Florence and Venice, but it may be harder there).

Any ideas?

I read the EUR area in Rome is like a monument to fascism, and I'm not sure that is what I'm after.

I wouldn't mind visiting a WWII museum or some such thing.

Any particularly recommended places?

For modern architecture in Venice, look at Pier Luigi Nervi's building for the Cassa di Risparmio di Venezia; it has been generally decried as a blemish on the Venetian architectural scene.

Also in Venice, Carlo Scarpa's "remodeling" of the Galleria Querini-Stampalia and its garden; they have generally been accepted as a graceful intervention in the Venetian cityscape.

A Venice architect of my acquaintance has told me that there is a very interesting new residential quarter being built on the island of Giudecca; I have not seen it myself.

In Rome, Nervi designed three stadia for the 1960 Rome Olympics; he is also the architect of the Papal Audience Hall.

Rome's newly (2003) consecrated church
"Dives in Misericordia" - is a soaring Modernist beauty designed by a well-known (Jewish) NY City architect, Richard Meier.

Mr Meier's concept was chosen through a design competition (beating out Frank Gehry amongst others); the model was viewed and approved of beforehand by the Pontiff himself.

One can only hope this ugle modern architecture kick will end soon so we can get back to more classical designs.

Those Venice and Rome suggestions sound quite interesting. Thank you. I'm a little surprised that Rome needed another church, but so it is .
Here are pictures of Dives in Misericordia:
http://www.italcementigroup.com/newsite/Chiesa_2000.htm

The church reminds me of the Sydney Opera House and Canada Place (in Vancouver). In those cases the sails make a little more sense, given the oceanfront location. But I actually do like the design of that church.

Based on my reading, I think Fosse Ardeatine, Museum of the Resistance, would be good to visit.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...deatine_rome-i

There are a few interesting Art Nouveau buildings in Milan (a lot of which was bombed flat in WWII) and the museum of modern art is supposed to be good.


best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

The SMN train station in Florence.

See http://www.welcometuscany.it/traspor...y/florence.htm