Italy is squaring up to one of the most controversial episodes in its past by building a museum of fascism in Predappio, the hometown of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Predappio, Italy.

Predappio, Italy. Image by Andrea / CC BY-SA 2.0

The town has become a place of pilgrimage for modern-day fascists, with pro-Mussolini messages in the visitor book at his crypt and does a roaring trade in right-wing paraphernalia. Supporters of the museum, which will be housed in the former headquarters of the fascist party, close to the house where Mussolini was born, say that it won’t take a positive view of the dictator, instead providing ‘something important for the history of our country’. The project is expected to cost €5 million, with €2 million to be provided by the Italian government, another €2 million from the EU and the rest of the money raised locally. Read more: thelocal.it