Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora

Did Alessandro La Marmora ever imagine his name would grace a building with such a complex history? Here we stand before the Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora, originally called Caserma Dogali. This former military barracks, built between 1887 and 1888, stands as a stark reminder of Turin’s turbulent past. The Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora initially served as home to the 5th Engineer Regiment until 1920. However, its story took a dark turn after September 8, 1943. The building became the headquarters of the Political Investigative Office of the Republican National Guard. This office, led by Major Giovanni Cabras, was responsible for suppressing the clandestine struggle in the city and province. The Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora transformed into a place of detention, torture, and execution. It held political prisoners, dissidents, and anti-fascists, many of whom were innocent. The liberation finally came on the night between April 27 and 28, 1945, thanks to the partisan troops. A plaque, placed in the moat where the executions took place, commemorates the fallen patriots. The Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora continued to play a role in Turin’s story, even after the war. It housed refugees from the Horn of Africa in 2009 and served as the headquarters for the 84th National Alpine Gathering in 2011. It even became a temporary home for the Emmaus community later that year. In 2015, citizens occupied the barracks to protest its abandonment. This site, once a symbol of Nazi-fascist violence, became a canvas for artistic expression with the Paratissima art exhibition in 2017. Today, the Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora is undergoing transformation under the guidance of architect Carlo Ratti, envisioning a space for co-living, co-working, and co-making. The barracks’ modular structure will be adapted to accommodate various functions, from maker labs to residences. A vast public square, comparable in size to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, will also be created. The Ex Caserma Alessandro La Marmora is a place etched with stories of struggle, resilience, and transformation, a testament to Turin’s enduring spirit.