Centrale idroelettrica Taccani, Hydroelectric power station in Trezzo sull'Adda, Italy.
Centrale idroelettrica Taccani is a hydroelectric facility on the Adda River featuring two asymmetrical wings containing turbines and steam machinery, with a central control room projecting from the main building. The plant harnesses the river's drop to generate electricity, and its architectural style combines industrial function with artistic design.
Built between 1904 and 1906 by industrialist Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, the station was created to power his cotton mill and became a turning point in local industrial electrification. This facility marked the beginning of modern electricity supply to manufacturing operations in the region.
Architect Gaetano Moretti blended local Adda stone with architectural elements from Mesopotamia, the medieval period, Syria, and India, creating a building that draws from many distant traditions. Visitors can still see this unusual mix of styles woven throughout the structure today.
The facility sits at the base of a rocky cliff near medieval castle ruins, making the location easy to navigate and offering views of both the industrial structure and the historical surroundings. Walking around the site gives a clear sense of how the station fits within the broader landscape.
This was one of the first major hydroelectric projects in Lombardy at a time when industrial buildings were designed with the same care as works of art. The blend of technology and beauty makes it a rare example of how engineering and architecture merged in this period.
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