This column, a gift from Benito Mussilini, formed part of the so-called "prospetto a mare" outside Porta Marina, in front of the Edificio con Opus Sectile.
The Ostia is a rectangular square or portico, 200 meters outside Porta Marina, originally overlooking the sea. It had eight columns "in grigio". One is missing, because it was transported to the US in the early 1930's. It was a gift from Italy to the city of Chicago in remembrance of the first transatlantic crossing of the Italian airforce.
THIS COLUMN
TWENTY CENTURIES OLD
ERECTED ON THE SHORES OF OSTIA
PORT OF IMPERIAL ROME
TO SAFEGUARD THE FORTUNES AND VICTORIES
OF THE ROMAN TRIREMES
FASCIST ITALY BY COMMAND OF BENITO MUSSOLINI
PRESENTS TO CHICAGO
EXALTATED SYMBOL OF MEMORIAL
OF THE ATLANTIC SQUADRON LED BY BALBO
THAT WITH ROMAN DARING FLEW ACROSS THE OCEAN
IN THE ELEVENTH YEAR
OF THE FASCIST ERA
The arrival of Balbo in Lido di Ostia, August 12, 1933
On June 30, 1933 25 sea-planes left Italy, under the command of Italo Balbo, Mussolini's air marshal, who used mass flights as a propaganda tool. The planes left from Orbetello and flew via Amsterdam, Ireland, Iceland, Labrador and Montreal. They arrived in Chicago on July 15, and were welcomed by a huge crowd. The return flight began on July 25. The planes landed at Lido di Ostia on August 12.
The unveiling of the column
The column must have reached the US by boat. It was erected during the 1933-1934 World Exhibition, called "A Century of Progress". It was unveiled in front of the Italian pavilion, in 1934, after Balbo had left. The column still stands, on its original site, but today in meaningless isolation. It is at a distance of a few meters from the shore of Lake Michigan in an area that is relatively unfrequented. It can be found in Burnham Park, at 1600 South Lake Shore Drive, just east of Soldier Field. It is generally called the "Balbo Monument". A midsized highway at a distance of some 600 meters from the column was in 1934 named Balbo Drive (until that time called 7th St.).
These are a series of caches placed along the Chicago Lakefront Trail started in the modern day by Slainte! but the original geocaching series concept was by Special Ed and Fallen Faery and a bookmark list of that series can be found at this link.
Per Wikipedia: “The Chicago Lakefront Trail (abbreviated as LFT) is a foreshoreway for walking and cycling, running 18-mile (29 km) along the coast of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. The path connects various beaches and recreational amenities located along the lake front and also serves as an option to bicycle commuters.
The trail is located wholly within the Chicago city limits and spans from 7100 South/2560 East to 5800 North/1000 West. It is a dedicated-use path, although frequent intersections do pose a threat to path users. These intersections are clearly signed both to path users and motorists. From north to south, it runs through Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park and Jackson Park.” Maps of the Chicago Lakefront Trail are available at this link.
This series is not intended to be a “numbers run” (though it could certainly be one), but instead an opportunity for you to enjoy both geocaching and the city’s beautiful lakefront. The caches range in type of container, difficulty and terrain.
Finally … there are LOTS of placement opportunities along the LFT, so if anyone else wants to join the series, please do so!
Enjoy the great views, wonderful bike trail and fun caching along the LFT! Happy caching.
Interesting information added by a hunter... “The column was moved to this isolated area for two reasons. It was deteriorating in its very prominent location along Lake Shore Drive and Balbo. It became a likely protest target because Mussolini, the fascist leader of Italy sided with Hitler. His body was hung in a public square.”