Marcello Piacentini (1881-1960) is considered the most influential Italian architect of the early 20th century. His Piazza della Vittoria in Brescia, the Via Roma in Turin, and the Roman district of EUR have become icons of architectural urban planning. Nevertheless, Piacentini is known in Germany - if at all - merely as 'Mussolini's architect.' Christine Beese demonstrates in her study that it is worthwhile to take a closer look at the 'demons' of Italian architectural history. Despite all the nationalist rhetoric, Piacentini developed his urban planning positions in the context of international models. Through her work, the author thus questions common notions of 'dictatorial urban planning' and provides an important contribution to the history of European urban development in the 20th century.