Feltrinelli Palace

Palazzo Feltrinelli was built between 1898 and 1899 at the behest of Commendatore Giuseppe Feltrinelli, who was helping to run an important timber trade company that had been established in Gargnano. With regard to the project for the construction of the residence, sources are discordant. Some in fact see Alberico Belgiojoso as the primary architect of the palace, while others attribute the paternity of the building to Francesco Solmi, who had also designed the monumental cemetery in Gargnano, which is reminiscent of the one built in Milan. In neo-Renaissance style, the preferred style of the late 19th-century industrial society, the residence has a small portico internally frescoed on the cross vaults, and consists of half-pillars leaning against the wall and Ionic columns supporting round arches. From an architectural point of view, the structure is divided into three levels, the first of which is rusticated, the second with windows framed by semi-columns and pilasters, and the third characterised by the presence of a cornice supporting single and double lancet windows interspersed with wall decorations. Light is also channelled into the building through the roof. The importance of Palazzo Feltrinelli is also linked to the numerous historical events that saw it play a leading role. In fact, during the two-year period 1943-1945, it was the seat of Benito Mussolini's political and personal secretariat, who made the building his headquarters. Before that it was the Villa of the Ursuline nuns. Today, however, it is a branch of the University of Milan and in summer Italian language courses are organised there for foreign students. (credits Arianna Florioli)