On September 12, 1919, Gabriele D'Annunzio and his irregular soldiers arrived in the Adriatic city of Fiume, now Rijeka. Proclaiming the "Free State of Fiume," he turned it into a stage for war adventurers, idealists, and future fascists. The 2,500 newcomers were enthusiastically welcomed by inhabitants hoping for Fiume’s return to Italy. D'Annunzio, a famed poet and war hero, led the "Arditi" who seized the city in a swift coup.
D'Annunzio envisioned Fiume as an ideal state, marked by eccentric festivities, drug use, and liberal behavior. Declaring it the "Cittá di Vita" (City of Life), he attracted political zealots of all kinds. The Free State adopted a constitution guaranteeing press freedom, gender equality, and a basic income. His mix of proto-fascism and life reform included parades, the leader principle, nudism, gender equality, and decriminalized homosexuality.
D'Annunzio's influence extended to Mussolini, who adopted many of his symbols and rituals. Yet, the utopian high was short-lived. In December 1920, Italy declared war on Fiume. After three days, an Italian warship bombarded D'Annunzio's palace, ending the Free State. This brief experiment left behind a city fraught with conflicts, serving as a rehearsal for emerging fascism.
