July 1, 1932 marked the beginning of a new era for Palazzo Brusati Bonasi, a building dating back to the 15th century. From that day on, the building, previously owned by a bank (Cassa di Risparmio), was given on loan for use to the local Federation of the National Fascist Party (PNF), which radically transformed its spaces to represent its new political role.
The Bonasi and Brusati palaces became the Casa del Fascio, the symbol of Fascist power in the town. Every corner of these historic buildings underwent transformations: the main entrance was reinvented, making room for the Famedio dei Caduti Fascisti (Hall of fame of the fallen Fascists), while new rationalist-style staircases built to replace the old ones, radically transforming both the interior and exterior.
The palace's balcony, overlooking the main street and the square, was the stage for propaganda speeches by local and also national Fascist Federation representatives. In March 1938 the National Secretary of the Fascist Party Achille Starace arrived in the town and Benito Mussolini visited to Carpi on July 28, 1941, when he greeted a delirious crowd from the balcony. His visit to Carpi, was a memorable political episode described by Don Ettore Tirelli as follows: 'He walked along the railway station boulevard and went to the Marelli factory. He visited the plant that had been in operation for six months and then headed for the Casa del Fascio. From the balcony he spoke, praising Carpi's fascism...'.
Below that balcony, a large map of Italy and its colonies emphasised the fascist imperialist vision. With Italy's entry into war in June 1940, the Casa del Fascio and the Town Hall were equipped with imposing loudspeakers, loud symbols of power.
During the period of the Italian Social Republic, the building continued to be the centre of the Republican Fascist Party until the town was liberated. Among these historic walls, on August 15, 1944, the fascists set up the funeral chamber for Colonel Filiberto Nannini of the RSI, killed in a partisan attack in the Migliarina di Carpi area. The following day, a funeral procession left from here in his honour and, while he was being buried in the cemetery, the black brigades in retaliation shot 16 citizens in the town’s main square.
After the war, the rear part of the building was turned intohouse the Municipal Tax Collection Office. Between 1994 and 1998, a meticulous restoration revealed and restored the splendid original decorative elements. Today, Palazzo Brusati Bonasi is home to the presidency of a bank foundation (Fondazione della Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi).
