Albergo diurno Cobianchi, Underground public bathhouse in Piazza Oberdan, Milan, Italy.
The Albergo diurno Cobianchi is an underground bathhouse beneath Piazza Oberdan featuring marble floors, brass fixtures, and a barbershop area with red leather chairs. The facility contained multiple bathing rooms and relaxation spaces across its subterranean layout.
The facility was designed by architect Marcello Troiani and opened in 1926 as part of a chain of day hotels established by entrepreneur Cleopatro Cobianchi across Italy. The Milan location operated until 1985, representing a chapter in early 20th-century urban services.
The facility served as a social meeting place for travelers and locals seeking bathing and grooming services that reflected early 20th-century values around public cleanliness and personal care.
The bathhouse functioned as a place where visitors could shower, get haircuts, and rest without needing to rent a hotel room. The underground space today is no longer open to the public, having closed decades ago.
The bathhouse featured two parallel corridors containing rooms with large bathtubs, demonstrating thoughtful design that balanced luxury appointments with accessible public use. This layout was innovative for the period, blending amenities that typically served different social groups.
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