- Art & Culture
- Navigli
Palazzo Archinto
Known as “Il Castello” for the two towers that characterise the only remaining wing.
Palazzo Archinto is one of the most important and ambitious buildings on the Navigli.
It was designed by architect Federico Pietrasanta and commissioned by Count Filippo Archinto. The original project involved the creation of a complex with a hooked “H”-shaped plan with a central 3-floor hall around which four courtyards were geometrically arranged.
The architectural structure was therefore very similar to the French villas of the second half of the 17th century.
However, the project was never completed.
Probably because of a lack of funds, after the construction of the two wings with the towers it was decided that work would be suspended and that one of the two newly-built units would be demolished to recover material that could be reused for Palazzo degli Archinto in Milan.
Over the following centuries, Palazzo Archinto was variously used as a residence, stable, barn and cheese factory.
The redevelopment work carried out between 2003 and 2004 restored some of the aesthetic charm of the Palazzo.
The Palazzo now hosts a public library and a permanent photography museum on the history of the Navigli (opened in 2008).
It is possible to hire rooms in the basement for wedding banquets and ceremonies.
