The hometown of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini on Wednesday banned the display in shops of swastikas, cudgels and merchandise bearing Fascist mottos in an attempt to spruce up the town's image.
Currently, hundreds of tourists visiting the dictator's mausoleum in Predappio in Emilio-Romagna each year are able to browse Mussolini memorabilia that take pride of place in many shops.
But the town council has now unanimously approved 500-euro sanctions that will come into effect in a few weeks for shops caught displaying items harking back to the Fascist era in their windows or anywhere visible from the street.
''It was an essential decision that aims to give a clear message: an end to the culture of hatred that prevents the city of Predappio from presenting itself to visiting tourists with the right image,'' said local culture councillor Gianluca Barravecchia.
Souvenir hunters will still be able to browse memorabilia freely at one of several Predappio shops with Internet stores.
At one website, shoppers can pick up a 'Dux Mussolini' cudgel for five euros, a wide range of swastika-decorated daggers from 30 euros and a selection of beers bearing the faces of Fascist leaders for 2.6 euros each.
Born in Predappio in 1883, Mussolini led Italy from 1922 to 1943.
Using his charisma, control of the media, and violence, he dismantled the country's democratic government system and created a Fascist state.
In 1940, he made the decision to enter the Second World War in alliance with Hitler. Three years later he was deposed and arrested.
With Nazi help, he set up a Fascist mini state, the Republic of Salo, at Lake Garda in northern Italy.
As the Allies advanced he tried to flee to Switzerland but was captured and shot by Italian partisans in April 1945.
His body was strung upside down in Milan with that of his mistress, Clara Petacci.
