Paradiso sul mare

Paradiso sul mare is a five-story Art Nouveau palace with a central dome and two towers positioned along Anzio's waterfront promenade. The structure displays characteristic early 20th-century architectural details and dominates the coastal landscape through its proportions and decorative elements.

Architect Cesare Bazzani designed this palace between 1919 and 1924, incorporating Masonic symbols throughout its decorative scheme. Its creation took place during the post-war period when the Italian coast was establishing itself as an upscale resort destination.

This palace gained fame through Italian cinema, serving as the Grand Hotel of Rimini in Federico Fellini's Amarcord and appearing in other notable films of that era. The building became intertwined with the imaginary worlds of famous directors, making it recognizable to audiences who may never have visited Anzio itself.

The building functions as a hospitality school and hosts art exhibitions, events, and film productions in its various spaces. Located directly on the waterfront, it offers easy accessibility and visitors should check ahead to see what exhibitions or events might be scheduled during their visit.

Although initially designed to operate as Anzio's casino, the gambling establishment never materialized and the building was repurposed instead. This unexpected turn transformed a potential pleasure venue into a cultural space that now attracts artists and filmmakers.