Le belle Poste

While communications that overlap and intersect in an increasingly complex relational structure embody the symbolic and functional core of the better part of the transformation of European cities on the brink of modernity, the post offices built between the late 19th century and the second postwar period are among the most significant symbols of the transitional phase towards the contemporary metropolis. Behind large, understated yet monumental façades, these buildings hide the dynamic nature of the modern city, the never-ending whirlwind of incoming and outgoing mail, the buzz of machinery and devices that never turn off. These large, modern post offices also represent the heart of a network of the new urban fabrics that often connect new developments and consolidated cities. They are, furthermore, a crucial element in the renovation of historic centres, presenting architects and planners with the age-old problem of the relationship between building innovation and permanence of the historic fabric. This book tells the story of an infrastructure that has become a landmark in our cities, while also describing a part of Italian history and art history.