Silo granario, Industrial silo in Port of Livorno, Italy
The Silo granario in Livorno is a storage facility with two connected structures featuring circular compartments for grain, located near the Old Fortress. It incorporates mechanical systems like ship elevators and conveyor belts that moved cargo efficiently between ships and storage areas.
The grain storage facility was constructed between 1921 and 1924 with a capacity to hold up to 12,000 tons at one time. It operated as a working port facility for several decades before ceasing operation in the 1980s.
The granary connects the port's industrial past with contemporary cultural events and exhibitions that take place inside. Visitors experience how the city preserves and celebrates its working-class heritage through this repurposed space.
The silo is situated in an easily accessible part of the port near other historic buildings, allowing visitors to explore several sites together in one area. Visiting during daylight hours makes it easier to appreciate the architectural details and see the exhibition spaces clearly.
The structure represents an early large-scale use of reinforced concrete in Italy, featuring distinctive angular pilasters and protruding cornices that were innovative for its time. This design set a precedent for how industrial buildings would be constructed in major European ports.
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