The Atlas Obscura Podcast Italy’s Bomb Squad (Classic)
Nov 21, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, writer and journalist Alessio Perrone shares insights from his extensive research on Italy's unexploded ordnance. He reveals that Italy recovers around 60,000 such devices every year, and explores the cultural context behind relics found in bombed sites—some even treated as collectibles. Perrone also highlights the perils faced by bomb detection teams, who often operate without safety gear. He reflects on the tragic accidents resulting from unexploded bombs and the shifting rituals surrounding their removal, emphasizing the generational challenges within the bomb-detection industry.
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Unexploded Ordnance Is A Persistent Problem
- Italy recovers roughly 60,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance each year.
- This ongoing cleanup shows World War II's hazards persist decades after conflicts end.
Regulation Spawned A Year-Round Industry
- A law requires risk assessments before building or renovating in previously bombed areas.
- That regulation created a steady industry of private bomb-detection companies in Italy.
Bomb Detection As A Family Trade
- Paolo Menini heads a private bomb-detection company that grew from his father's work.
- Several Italian bomb-detection firms are family businesses passed from father to son.