The birthplace and final resting place of Benito Mussolini is becoming a Mecca for fascists from all over Europe.

Thousands of black-shirted visitors descend on the small town of Predappio each year on the anniversaries of Il Duce's birth, death and rise to power.

Nationally, Mussolini's residences are being restored and opened to the public, exhibitions of military memorabilia and fascist art are being held, and recently in Rome, Italy's soldiers who fought for the Nazis at El-Alamein were honoured with a military parade around the Colosseum.

There is thought that honest debate about Italy's fascist legacy has been suppressed - and that it is precisely because of this that the former dictator is now viewed with nostalgia.

Crossing Continents visits to investigate.

Il Duce revival
Thursday 25 July 2002
on BBC Radio 4 at 11:00 BST
repeated on Monday 29 July 2002
at 20.30 BST.

Reporter: Rosie Goldsmith
Producers: Kate Goldberg and Sue Ellis
Editor: Maria Balinska