'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

Former Soave Hospital at Codogno (LO)

The former Soave Hospital,  neo-classic building  whose construction started in 1778 and listed building owned by the Municipality of Codogno (Lodi), underwent several restoration actions and changes in the last 20 years that led to  its designation as a multifunctional Cultural and Exhibition Centre - acquiring the role of cultural heart of  the Lower Lodi district.


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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 Sioli Legnani (La Legnana)
L’immobile oggetto del presente progetto è di origine seicentesca, con ampliamenti e trasformazioni nei secoli successivi, fino all’attuale assetto di definizione ottocentesca. Le superfici hanno risentito nel tempo di numerosi interventi di manutenzione che hanno modificato materiali di finiture e cromie.
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Palazzo Pirola - Gorgonzola (MI)
Molti ambienti del palazzo presentano in volta e sulle pareti affreschi e dipinti a calce e ad affresco. Lo stato delle opere è di degrado avanzato. Alcuni ambienti nascondono sotto la tinteggiatura a tempera soffitti lignei a cassettoni decorati. Dal confronto con il soffitto ligneo della scala Y, si può avanzare l’ipotesi che siano del XVII secolo.
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