Not all colonie were located on the coast. After a day spent looking for the Colonia Maria Pia di Savoia in Vercelli we were ready to abandon our efforts, but by now our snooping around the outskirts of town had attracted the attention of the Polizia. Things looked awkward, but we convinced our interrogator. Yes, he knew where the colonia was, and he would escort us there. But first, would we care to see Vercelli's Fascist wall paintings? VIVA IL DUCE in two metre high letters? Although their removal was a legal requirement after the fall of the regime, a surprisingly large number of Fascist political slogans survive on walls across Italy.
The Colonia Maria Pia di Savoia was built in 1936 as a non-residential Colonia Elioterapiche (sun therapy colony) and designed by the technical office of the municipality. Remarkably it is still in use. Part of the building is the Alpini veterans' association, whilst a gymnastic club and an archery club occupy other areas.