Cisternone, Water storage building in Livorno, Italy
Cisternone is a neoclassical water storage building in Livorno with five aisles and a curved half cupola rising from the facade. The large interior hall features columns and vaulted structures arranged to allow filtered water to flow through and collect in underground sections.
Construction started in 1828 under architect Pasquale Poccianti and the facility opened in 1842 with Grand Duke Leopold II. The project solved a major need for the expanding city to access clean water reliably.
The building blends elegant architectural forms with practical water management, reflecting how Livorno modernized its infrastructure in the 1800s. Walking through the interior, visitors notice how the columns and vaulted spaces work together to create an orderly flow for both water and people.
The building is easily viewed from outside and shows a clear neoclassical design that stands out in its surroundings. Inside, the spaces are open and spacious, making it straightforward to walk through and understand the layout of the water systems.
The building featured a sophisticated filtering system that moved water from distant springs through layers of gravel and carbon before storage. This process was cutting-edge for its time and allowed the city to supply clean water to a large population.
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