Was it fate that brought us here to Palazzo Saporiti? This palace whispers tales of fortunes made and lost. It stands as a proud example of neoclassical architecture.
Gaetano Belloni commissioned Palazzo Saporiti in 1800. He struck it rich running the gaming room at La Scala. Imagine the clatter of chips, the gasps of high society. But luck is a fickle mistress.
The Napoleonic era brought an end to gambling. Belloni fell into debt. He had to sell his grand residence to the Marquis Rocca Saporiti from Genoa. The palace then became known as Palazzo Rocca-Saporiti.
Look around. Note the grand scale of Palazzo Saporiti. The palace arose during a redevelopment. It was on land once held by Capuchin Friars. The Austrian administration dissolved their order.
Giovanni Perego actually designed Palazzo Saporiti. He was the famous scenographer from La Scala. However, Innocenzo Giusti’s name appears on the plans. Perego wasn’t a professional architect. So he couldn’t officially take credit.
Today, a Swiss bank occupies Palazzo Saporiti. The building’s neoclassical style draws inspiration from Andrea Palladio. Notice the Ionic colonnade. It creates a spectacular portico. Processions once passed on the street below. Residents could view them from here.
Observe the ground floor. It features a bugnato finish. Above the main entrance, you can spot a heraldic elephant. A frieze runs between the first and second floors. It depicts events from Milan’s history.
Take in the statues that crown the attic. They represent the Dii Consentes. Pompeo Marchesi and Grazioso Rusca sculpted them. The statues and frieze suffered environmental damage. A careful restoration brought them back to their original glory.
Palazzo Saporiti tells a silent story of Milanese ambition. From gambling magnate to Swiss bank. Its walls have seen changing fortunes and historical shifts. Its beauty remains undiminished. It stands as a testament to Milan’s enduring spirit.