Restanten van de Muur van Romulus op de Palatijn te Rome, Italië 1857 - 1900

This photograph captures the remnants of the Wall of Romulus on the Palatine Hill in Rome, and was taken by the Alinari brothers. Active from the mid-19th to the early 20th century, the Alinari studio documented Italian art and architecture. As Italy sought to define its national identity, images like these played a crucial role. They were used to highlight the grandeur of its classical past, in ways that often glossed over the complex realities of Italian history and identity. This focus on antiquity could also overshadow the contributions of other cultures and periods, reinforcing a selective narrative of national pride. Consider the layers of history embedded in this site—from Romulus to the present day. It’s a reminder that history is never a single story, but an accumulation of narratives, each influencing how we see the world. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its ability to evoke both the grandeur of the past and the ongoing work of understanding our relationship to it.