Can you imagine a secret hidden beneath a beautiful fountain? Standing before the Fontana Monumento a Giuseppe Grandi, it’s hard to believe that this stunning piece of architecture actually conceals a hidden gem.
The Fontana Monumento a Giuseppe Grandi is an impressive monument dedicated to the renowned Italian sculptor, Giuseppe Grandi. This monument was designed by the architects Wether Sever and Emilio Noel Winderling, drawing inspiration from Adolfo Wildt’s style. Completed in 1936, the monument features a large rectangular basin surrounded by granite steps. A towering column stands proudly, 13 meters high, at one corner, symbolizing the air shaft for a secret shelter beneath. From this column cascades a powerful waterfall, enriching the fountain below.
But the real surprise lies hidden beneath the surface. This monument, built to honor a talented sculptor, was also a strategically placed shelter for the people of Milan. It was one of Milan’s first public shelters against aerial bombardment, and one of the most well-preserved. It has 25 chambers and functioned during World War II for a capacity of 450 people.
If you look closely, you’ll see how cunningly the monument was built. The large column, which serves as an air shaft, also doubles as a ventilation system for the shelter. The structure of the fountain was carefully constructed as well. When, and if, a bomb were to hit the monument, the effects of the blast would be contained. This innovative, yet ingenious, design is a testament to the foresight of its creators. With a hidden shelter and elegant design, the Fontana Monumento a Giuseppe Grandi truly is a remarkable monument.