Palazzo Castiglioni, Art Nouveau palace in Corso Venezia, Milan, Italy
Palazzo Castiglioni is an Art Nouveau palace featuring a rusticated stone facade, tall narrow windows framed with decorative elements, and intricate wrought iron details throughout its monumental form. The building displays crafted ornamental features characteristic of the artistic movement, with careful attention to decorative composition at every level.
Architect Giuseppe Sommaruga designed the palace between 1901 and 1903 for entrepreneur Ermenegildo Castiglioni as a deliberate departure from traditional Milanese building customs. The structure marked a turning point in the city's evolution and demonstrated growing acceptance of modern artistic expression in the Italian metropolis.
The female figures at the entrance embodied social ideals and reflected the artistic ambitions of the era. Their placement made them a focal point that sparked public discussion about art and modesty in the city.
The palace is located on Corso Venezia and is easily accessible by public transportation. The building now houses the Milan Traders' Union and is clearly visible from the street, though access to the interior is typically limited.
The building earned a local nickname from Milanese residents due to the original statues that decorated its entrance, a name that persists in the city's history. This nickname reflects how people responded to and remembered the bold artistic choices made at the palace.
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