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The
construction assigned to the architect Bazzani, was started in 1919
amid general enthusiasm and was finished in 1924. The building, Art
Nouveau style, has a semi-elliptical entrance-hall supported by six
grey columns with capitals in white travertine stone.
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Two
Gambling rooms, both of circular form, have ceilings supported by
ten pillars with frescoes by Tosatto; the first room with
springtime scenes is justly called
“of Spring”; the second one has scenes of dancing
Nymphs. From the room dedicated to Spring, one can enter a large
terrace, whose balcony is adorned with four feminine statues (Spring,
Summer, Industry and Commerce) and two masculine ones (Autumn and
Winter). |
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On
the floor underneath, there
is the Dining Room with tones of white, grey and ivory stuccoes. The
Dancing Room is circular and embraced by ten Ionic-styled columns. The
fresco is of a knightly genre and the Bohemian chandeliers are similar
to those in the two Gambling Rooms. The opening took place with solemn
pomp and splendour, but
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Pope
Pious X did not approve the fact and he forced
the closing down of the Casino because he could not permit
a place of vice to operate so close to the heart of Christianity.
Because of this decision Giuseppe
Polli , |
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who had
invested all his possessions in his dream, was
in
financially
difficulty.
Now the Casino is the property of the Town of Anzio and it is used
as a Catering School. Federico Fellini utilised it in his film
“Amarcord” , calling it the Grand Hotel of Rimini. Alberto
Sordi and Monica Vitti danced in its rooms on the set of
“Polvere di Stelle” ( Stardust ). To see its
magnificent interiors, it is necessary to wait for the few events
that the Town organises there, mostly during the summer. Today it
seems that the Town is trying to re-open the Casinò along with
the one situated in the Town of Fiuggi. In the past few years with
the arrival of the summer season, some local shopkeepers,
encouraged by the Town Council have received the permission to
open the Casino for charity activities, with real gaming-tables
and professional personnel. No one gambles for real money :
gamblers can only win prizes offered by the shopkeepers of
Anzio. In the “ Paradiso
sul Mare”
plays, concerts and cultural
lectures also take place throughout the year.
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