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For over fifty years photographer Charles H. Traub has been capturing expressive moments around him, but his most impressive works have to be the ones from the 80s, when he first traveled to Italy and witnessed the iconic street life Italians call 'La Dolce Vita.'

During the 1980s Traub visited various parts of Italy for 2 to 3 weeks at a time, documenting the intriguing lifestyle he called La Dolce Via (the Sweet Way). The freedom, slow pace, and diversity were the trademarks of the time which is now witnessed mainly in photos.

According to the photographer, this street culture is now almost gone as Italy struggles to overcome the problems that arose together with the global economy. Traub describes these photos as “a time capsule” of the Italy that no longer exists.

You can experience the full series in his book Dolce Via: Italy In the 1980's.

More info: Charles H. Traub (h/t: businessinsider, demilked)

#1

1980s Italy

Charles H. Traub Report

Melanie Bertenshaw
Community Member
9 years ago

now this captures Italy perfectly in the 80s..so beautiful

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    #2

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Danny Giusa
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Snapchat anno 1980ths

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    #3

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Birchy Cat
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    It could become a habit

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    #4

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Got a stick? Yeah, you got a light bulb? Yeah. We are in business!

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    #5

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    PARANOIDANDROID
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    back then when people held hands it meant friendship

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    #6

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Nicolas “Ben Mcprt” Forthewin
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    wait wut ?

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    #7

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Eddie77
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The typical italian striped t-shirt

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    #8

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Daniel Peiser
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    back then when people making out it meant friendship

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    #9

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    NQ L
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Back then kids played outside. I used to be outside all day playing with my friends. Kids now play games online. They're missing out

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    #10

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Marble dude on the left, totally checking out leaking mammaries on the right.

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    #11

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    April Showers
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    "Look here, sonny boy, in my day, if we wanted to send a text, we used a stone tablet and a chisel...and we liked it that way"

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    #12

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Terri Rowland
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Note the Vespa scooter he's perched on 💝👦🏽

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    #13

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Merilyn Horton
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Hipster

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    #14

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Marty BlackEagle-Carl
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    "take your horse to the beach" day

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    #15

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Pam Harris
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The balls :/

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    this one is fabulous.

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    #17

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Lotta Svensson
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Haha, dudes! 😄

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    #18

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Agnes Jekyll
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    She is so beautiful. I love her eyebrows!

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    #19

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Liliana V
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Lookin' at the solar eclipse, huh?? :)

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    #20

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Tom Simmons
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Looks like trousers in the water

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    #21

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Terri Rowland
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The guy with the wood just booped her on the head..ouch 💝 ❤😆

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    #22

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    June Pixeld
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Back when there were no smartphones and people noticed stuff:)

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    #23

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Anna Salerno
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Beautiful red hair and freckles.

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    #24

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    June Pixeld
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Pretty!

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    #25

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Luca Bertaiola
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Paestum (Salerno)

    #26

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Vasanth
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The woman appears to check both the bus and the girl simultaneously

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    #27

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Lee from Phoenix
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Maybe his grandchild made the hat and he said he would wear it.

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    #28

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    April Showers
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    "I wonder why that chicken crossed the road....."

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    #29

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Mary Hurst
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Simpler times

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    #30

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    June Pixeld
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This is the women's bathroom line.

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    #31

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    April Showers
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Give the man a mustache ...and a rolled up pack of cigarettes in his sleeve...it could be Schinder , the handyman..

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    #32

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    April Showers
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I am impressed at this lady's balance. My butt hanging over this thing would look like I got hit in both rear cheeks with a bag of nickels..

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    #33

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    #34

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    #35

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Amaranthim Talon
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    "Hmm.. maybe it's not too late..?"

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    #36

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Mirable Test
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    For anyone wondering: "ps: it's forbidden to play football"

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    #37

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Lorenzo Gaggiotti
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    this is not 80´s, at least 1995 because that car is a Fiat Barchetta

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    #38

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 years ago

    Handsome devil!

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    #39

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    #40

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    April Showers
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    She is about to "shotgun" that ice cream

    #41

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Amaranthim Talon
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    challenge - accepted- green-scre...a1f2dc.jpg green-screen-2-599dcc6a1f2dc.jpg

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    #42

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Elly Clifton
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    What's the woman in the background doing??

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    #43

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Fluttergirl
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    It must be a pain to walk in heels on cobblestone streets.

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    #44

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Nora H.
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Ahhh.. when men looked nice and normal. Not the pumped up beef mutants of today..

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    #45

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Luca Bertaiola
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    "Italia in miniatura" near Rimini

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    #46

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Dorota Grabowska
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Somehow reminds me of 'Summertime' with Katherine Hepburn

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    #47

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Andrea Mae
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    It looks like the guy is standing on the bench

    #48

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    April Showers
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    "Pleeeeaase, I promise to take care of him, I love you so much, I will never ask you for anything ever again, oh please, can we get one?

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    #49

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Vivien Someya
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Upim, ah ah I remember the Upim.

    #50

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Beth Arriaga
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The OG Italian Vampire

    #51

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Magic567
    Community Member
    7 years ago

    zooooooooooooooooooom

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    #52

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Florence? It looks a lot like a place I saw in Florence, but I guess there could be several similar places.

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    #53

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Andrew Cas
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Dude on the right looks like he's drinking the water

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    #54

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Luca Bertaiola
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    a white Vespa is parked on the other side of the street

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    #55

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Stefano Giannini
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Jean's West! Almost 30 yrs since I saw that brand!

    #56

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Pamela
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Love that person is picking their wedgie lol

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    #57

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Terri Rowland
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Note the blue dress lifting up on the wall side of the lady 👗 💝 🤣

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    #58

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    #59

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    cyberbird
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Sleeping beauty.

    #60

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    June Pixeld
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    When your cameltoe from yrs ago haunts u on the internet x.x

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    #61

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    John Dunshee
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I'm gonna make you an offer you can't understand.

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    #62

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Elly Clifton
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I gotta gun under my jacket and I'm not afraid to use it

    #63

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Bina Acharya
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    the puppy at the back... hoomans just let it go

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    #64

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    #65

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Tess G
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Butt.

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    #66

    1980s Italy

    Charles H. Traub Report

    Vivien Someya
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I grew up in Rome in the 80s and these photos are amazing. Thank you for posting them!