Palazzo Cusani

Gambling debts. A ruined son. That’s how the grand Palazzo Cusani slipped from the hands of the Cusani family. Let’s rewind to 17th-century Milan. The Cusani family, already prominent, decided to build a statement. Not just a house, a palace near the now-vanished Church of Sant’Eusebio. This was their Palazzo Cusani, a symbol of their growing power. The original structure took shape in the early decades of that century, thanks to Agostino Cusani, Marquis of Chignolo Po. Imagine the bustling construction, the noise of hammers and chisels shaping the grand vision. The Palazzo Cusani wasn’t a one-time creation. It evolved, reflecting the family’s changing fortunes and tastes. Between 1694 and 1719, Gerolamo Cusani commissioned architect Giovanni Ruggeri to redesign the exterior facade. It was a bold statement. The Palazzo Cusani stood apart from the typical Milanese architecture of the time, its exuberant style hinting at Roman influences. Ruggeri’s design incorporated mixtilinear window frames and prominent balconies. He even created twin portals, rumored to have been commissioned by two Cusani brothers who preferred to avoid each other. Years later, between 1775 and 1779, Ferdinando Cusani hired the renowned Giuseppe Piermarini to revamp the interior facade. Piermarini, known for his neoclassical touch, brought a new elegance to Palazzo Cusani. Sadly, much of the original décor and furnishings were lost over the years. Yet, whispers of its former glory remain. The deed of sale from 1808 still lists frescoed vaults, gilded stuccoes, and marble fireplaces. Think of the opulent parties and balls hosted in the grand gardens, now mostly gone. In 1808, Ferdinando’s son, Luigi, crippled by gambling debts, sold Palazzo Cusani to the Kingdom of Italy. The Ministry of War took up residence within its walls. The Palazzo Cusani even bears scars from the Five Days of Milan uprising. Look closely at the rear facade. You might spot three cannonballs embedded in the stone, a silent testament to the city’s tumultuous past. Though it served as the headquarters of the III Army Corps and later as a NATO representation office, Palazzo Cusani retains its historical significance. Today, it houses the Comando Militare Esercito Lombardia, another chapter in the ongoing story of this grand Milanese palace.