'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
Highlights
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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The furnace of Corno Giovine, also called Fornace Rubini, named after the owner’s name who bought it in 1974, is located in the municipality countryside.
It’s an Hoffman kiln - elongated plan with semicircles at the two ends, covered by a wide roof with a kiln in the middle where a fire burns continuously.
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The vault of the “Manuscripts Hall” has suffered from major static problems for many lustrums: problems which were faced in accordance with the construction techniques available at the time.
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The Laudense Library is located in the historical centre of Lodi and it safeguards the charming Library of the confraternity of the Filippini.
The aim of the renovation was to increase the value of the place, making it welcoming and functional, and blending the aesthetic characteristics with the materials used, thus transforming the library spaces into a fascinating spot.
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