Casa Berri-Meregalli, Art Nouveau palace in Milan, Italy
Casa Berri-Meregalli is an Art Nouveau palace on Via Cappuccini in Milan featuring Roman loggias, medieval gargoyles, and geometric floral patterns across its exterior walls. The facade combines gold and colored glass mosaics with Gothic-inspired gargoyles in elaborate ornamental arrangements.
This palace was built between 1911 and 1914 by architect Giulio Ulisse Arata and represents the architectural innovation of early 20th-century Milan. The construction occurred during a period when the city was establishing itself as a major center of Art Nouveau design.
The entrance hall displays elaborate Art Nouveau paintings on its ceiling and ornate floor patterns designed by sculptor Adolfo Wildt. These details reflect how wealthy Milanese families furnished their homes with works by leading artists of the period.
The building is located on Via Cappuccini in central Milan with good access to public transportation and proximity to other landmarks. Visitors interested in architecture should allow time to view the detailed exterior from street level and explore the surrounding neighborhood.
The gargoyles on the facade are not merely decorative but once functioned as water drainage systems, a practical element borrowed from medieval architecture. This combination of functional Gothic details with modern Art Nouveau shows the experimental approach of Arata's design.
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