Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 8:00 pm Eastern
Verdiana Peron – Motorway Bridge Restaurants: Studies Towards the Preservation of Italian “Over-the-Tollway” Architecture
Italy’s motorway restaurant network stands as one of the most compelling expressions of Italy’s postwar experimentation, developing alongside the national motorway system between 1955 and 1975. Italian architects pioneered these motorway service areas while drawing inspiration from American fast-food models. The fourteen bridge restaurants are particularly significant for their architectural and symbolic value, as well as their distinctive engagement with the surrounding landscape. These architectural “machines” for consumption and rest quickly became iconic landmarks for generations of Italian motorists.
Join Verdiana Peron as she explores the history and significance of these remarkable roadside buildings and the threats they face today.