Cisternino di Pian di Rota, Neoclassical cistern in Pian di Rota, Livorno, Italy.
Cisternino di Pian di Rota is a neoclassical water storage building in Livorno featuring a rectangular form and portico supported by four Tuscan columns. Inside, the structure holds two distinct sections: the main reservoir and a filtration chamber filled with coal and gravel to purify the water supply.
Construction began in 1845 following architect Pasquale Poccianti's designs and finished in 1852 when water from the Colognole spring first arrived at the site. The building represents the era's advances in urban water supply and infrastructure during the 19th century.
The structure represents Italian engineering excellence through its combination of neoclassical architecture and advanced water purification systems of the nineteenth century.
The building has narrow slit windows that provide minimal light inside, so give your eyes time to adjust to the dim conditions when entering. The structure is supported by twenty-eight Tuscan pillars that carry the vaulted roof, showing how builders used multiple supports to distribute weight evenly.
The interior features a filtration system made from coal and gravel, a sophisticated approach for the time that shows how water was purified using natural materials. This blend of architecture with working function made the building ahead of its time in water technology.
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