'600 - '700

From 1535 to 1713 Milan was  occupied  by the Spaniards: the status of “occupied territory” continued, with changing fortunes, after the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), and also with the Austrian  occupation,  until  the Second Italian War of Independence, although with the short period of Napoleonic occupation. For this reason, Milan probably holds the Italian record for longest foreign occupation.

The restoration works we are presenting  concern monuments  built  between the XVII and XVIII century up to the Napoleonic Era.  During these years the town shows, in sync with the Western world, the distinguishing Baroque and Neoclassic features, often with local and original characteristics: a rich period of aesthetic and technical innovations regarding materials, construction techniques and new decorative setups.

A slow but gradual urban development,  initially contained inside the town walls wanted by Charles V,  participated to the development  of the major works altready started at the end of the XVI century , like the Seminario Vescovile (the Bishopric Seminary), Brera Palace, the Collegio Elvetico (the Swiss School),  and the continuation of other works such as the Duomo - Milan cathedral - always at the core of the architectural debate - the Cà Granda and the massive realization of hydraulic works aiming to complete and improve Navigli (Milan canal system) waterways. The town was filled with a constellation of new aristocratic buildings, such as Palazzo Litta, Palazzo Dugnani, and new churches like Sant’Alessandro, Santa Maria alla Porta,  San Bernardino alle Ossa and San Vito al Pasquirolo.

In the late XVIII century, after a long  period of peace and knowledgeable and steady administration, Milan was considered a farsighted town, driven by his economic and cultural growth. The heritage of this period can be seen in   significant artworks such as, among others, the Rotonda della Besana, the Scala, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Cusani, Palazzo Clerici, Villa Belgiogioso, Palazzo Serbelloni, the Arena Civica and also the first public green areas among which we have to mention the important  compound of Villa Reale in Monza.

Arch. Libero Corrieri
Commission for the Architectural and Landscape Heritage of Milan

Where - Map

Highlights

Road “Alzaia Sud” (Southern river bank) and banks of Martesana River

Interventions included the following works:

  1. Construction of an entry path
  2. Cleaning and elimination of bushes on the walls (river Adda side)
  3. Stabilization of pillars
  4. Restoration of beams and of existing road base
  5. Restoration of the historic walls (river Adda side)
  6. Placement of steel shelves for base strengthening
  7. Diagnostic tests
  8. Construction of poles and tie-rods
  9. Shot concrete
  10. Demolition and removal of roadbed
  11. Hydro demolition of the reinforced concrete curb and suction of the demolished materials
  12. Construction of new reinforced concrete curbs
  13. Construction of a new road base
  14. Structural steel reinforcement
  15. Renovation of granite parapets
  16. Completion of the road by means of binder, wearing course, rainwater drainage system and new guardrail and road signs.

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Cornaggia Medici Palace at Cassano d’Adda (MI)

The Palace located at Cassano d’Adda underwent restoration and rearrangement interventions -  both from a functional and layout point of view – to become  the new town hall.


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Villa Castiglioni a Magenta
Villa eretta nel primo Seicento su terreni di proprietà della famiglia Crivelli. La costruzione fu realizzata in un punto strategico
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Palazzo Pirola - Gorgonzola (MI)
Palazzo Pirola-Freganeschi è collocato dirimpetto a palazzo Sola-Busca sulla sponda opposta del Naviglio Martesana. L’edificio, come apprendiamo dalla relazione storica allegata al decreto di vincolo del Ministero dei beni culturali del 31 maggio 2001 costituisce una delle residenze signorili settecentesche più significative del Comune di Gorgonzola”. Nel marzo del 2005 per poter redarre un dettagliato progetto di restauro delle superfici si è effettuata una vasta campagna d’indagini stratigrafiche. I numerosi saggi effettuati all’interno dei locali dell’immobile hanno evidenziato che siamo in presenza di un edificio storico assai interessante che ha subito nei secoli numerose modifiche. L’indagine storico-materica ha permesso d’identificare il perimetro delle stanze del palazzo prima dell’innalzamento di tavolati negli ultimi 50 anni.
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