Borgo Amerigo Fazio is an abandoned village located in western Sicily, one of several rural villages (borghi rurali) constructed under the direction of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Built in 1939, just a few years before the collapse of Italy’s fascist regime, Borgo Fazio was part of Mussolini’s grand vision to revolutionize rural life in Italy.
Historical Context
The creation of borghi rurali was a strategic move by Mussolini to encourage rural development and agricultural productivity. The villages were designed with a central layout featuring essential amenities:
- Church
- School
- Administration buildings
- Police station
- Public health offices
Surrounding these central structures were private residences. Mussolini’s theory was that providing city-like amenities in rural areas would persuade people to stay and work the land, thereby boosting agricultural output.
The Reality of Borgo Fazio
Despite the ambitious plan, Borgo Fazio, like many other borghi rurali in Sicily, was never actually inhabited by locals. The village stands as a testament to the unfulfilled dreams of Mussolini’s rural policies. Among the various borghi, “Borgo Mussolinia” (today known as San Pietro) holds a unique place. Mussolini demanded regular updates on its construction, but nothing was ever built. To satisfy his demands, locals fabricated a photo album depicting fictitious progress, which was sent to Rome. In contrast, Borgo Fazio, along with places like Borgo Schiro and Borgo Cascino, was genuinely constructed.
Visiting Borgo Fazio
Know Before You Go:
- Borgo Fazio, like many of the borghi rurali, is uninhabited today. Some buildings are occasionally used as farm sheds.
- The village can be visited for free at any time.
- Due to its remote location, access requires a car or a bike.
Exploring Sicily’s Borghi Rurali
There are around 15 such villages scattered across Sicily, each a relic of Mussolini’s rural policies. While they remain largely uninhabited and in varying states of decay, they offer a unique glimpse into a fascinating, albeit flawed, chapter of Italian history.
Borgo Amerigo Fazio stands as a silent reminder of Mussolini’s grand yet impractical vision for rural Italy, encapsulating the broader narrative of ambition and the eventual decline of the Fascist regime’s rural agenda.
