Villa Silvestrella, Gothic Revival palace in L'Aquila, Italy.
Villa Silvestrella is a Gothic Revival palace in L'Aquila featuring a northern facade with five rounded arches, steep roofing, and stained glass windows displaying Jugendstil patterns throughout. The structure displays ornamental richness across both its exterior and interior spaces.
The Palitti family commissioned Villa Silvestrella in 1915 during a period when L'Aquila was expanding its urban landscape. This construction reflected the city's architectural renewal in the early 20th century.
The palace blends Liberty style with Renaissance and Gothic elements, showing how different design traditions came together in early 20th century architecture. You can see this mix in the ornamental details on the facade and throughout its rooms.
The palace underwent extensive restoration after the 2009 earthquake, with seismic isolation systems installed in its foundation for stability. Visitors should check ahead before arriving, as access to the building may be limited or require special arrangements.
The building uses elastomeric bearings and multidirectional sliding isolators to protect it from earthquakes while keeping its historical look intact. This approach merges modern safety technology with preservation of the original design.
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