Palazzo Bricherasio

Was Palazzo Bricherasio always a bank? No. Its elegant gray facade, punctuated by neoclassical windows and ornate cornices, whispers stories of a richer, more vibrant past. Palazzo Bricherasio, nestled in Turin’s historic center, has witnessed centuries of history unfold. Originally built in 1636 in the old Tanners’ Quarter, it first served as a noble residence for the Solaro di Monasterolo family. They commissioned architect Carlo Emanuele Bovis for renovations in 1760. Later, Palazzo Bricherasio became home to the Cacherano di Bricherasio family, whose name it now bears. They were prominent figures in Piedmontese nobility, known for military honors and a legacy of philanthropy and patronage. Count Luigi Baldassarre Cacherano di Bricherasio, under the guidance of architect Barnaba Panizza, transformed the palace interiors and exterior into the neoclassical masterpiece we see today. His wife, Teresa Massel di Caresana, bore him two children: Sofia and Emanuele. Sofia, a talented painter and student of Lorenzo Delleani, turned Palazzo Bricherasio into a renowned cultural salon. It hosted gatherings, exhibitions, and cultural events, featuring prominent figures like Rodolfo Morgari, Leonardo Bistolfi, Edmondo De Amicis, and even Arturo Toscanini. Emanuele, captivated by the burgeoning automotive industry, held a pivotal meeting within these walls on July 1, 1899. A group of Turin’s elite gathered in his study to establish what would later become FIAT, with Emanuele as vice-president. This historic moment is immortalized in a painting by Delleani. After Emanuele’s untimely death in 1904, Sofia and her mother continued their philanthropic endeavors. In 1937, architect Annibale Rigotti redesigned the north facade and gate, a consequence of urban renewal that sadly claimed the palace’s garden. After Sofia’s death in 1950, Palazzo Bricherasio was bequeathed to the Piccola Opera della Divina Provvidenza. It then served as a school, first for embroidery and later as a technical institute. In 1994, art dealer Alberto Alessio purchased the building, initiating a careful restoration led by architects Campanino, Dal Bianco, and Cinquetti. Palazzo Bricherasio then enjoyed a second life as a prestigious exhibition center, showcasing internationally acclaimed exhibitions for fifteen years before closing in 2009. Today, Banca Patrimoni Sella & C. calls Palazzo Bricherasio home. While now a bank, the building retains echoes of its illustrious past, offering guided tours that allow visitors to glimpse the lives and legacies that shaped this remarkable palazzo.