Larry, how are you?

I'm Aaron Allen and this is Curia City.

Today, our producer, Justin Bull, is in Burnham Park with question asker Larry Arroyo,

and they're in front of a literal ancient artifact.

Where are we, Larry?

We are currently at the Balbo Monument right across from Soldier Field. What are we, Larry? We are currently at the Balbo monument right across from Soldier Field.

What are we looking at here? Describe what this looks like. This is a large Roman pillar

dating back to the Roman Empire that is now sitting on the lakefront. It has engravings talking

about the friendship between Chicago and Italy. The problem is this is literally a fascist monument in Chicago.

The Balbo Monument is not a bust or a statue.

It's a 13-foot-tall column on a stone base with an interesting inscription.

The words have faded a little bit out in the elements, but what it used to say in part was

this.

Fashis Italy by Commander Benito Mussolini presents the Chicago Exaltion Symbol Memorial of the Atlantic

Squadron led by Balbo with Roman Daring flew across the ocean in the 11th year of the fascist era.

That's it.

This is a pillar that's older than America, it's older than Chicago, it's older than Christianity.

If you come here, it's hidden behind the trees, so most

people are just going to walk right past it. What's your question for Curious City? My question

is, why is a fascist monument still on display in a time when we're taking down Confederate

statues and Columbus statues? Okay, well thank you very much.

You wouldn't know much about this column if you happen to walk past it.

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