Neoclassicism. It covers the period from 1750 to 1850. From the end of the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria to the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, Milan was experiencing a cultural and economic rise – right during the period of neoclassicism. Thus, one of the most important buildings of this architectural style appeared in the city – the La Scala theater.
Art Nouveau. At the end of the 19th century, the Art Nouveau style arrived, known here as liberty. However, unlike the French and Belgian Art Nouveau, in Italy it is more ornamental than architectural. The liberty style was greatly influenced by baroque with its rich ornamentation and color both inside and outside buildings. The Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio wrote in 1889, when the style was just emerging: ‘The genius of the baroque’s sensuality is one of the defining variants of Italian Art Nouveau.’ Bright examples of Italian liberty can be found in the Porta Venezia area. For instance, the Castiglioni palace or the ‘House of Butts.’ This is what people nicknamed the building due to the abundance of naked figures on the facade. They embarrassed the residents so much that the entrance gates were moved to the side facade.
Unlike most other architectural styles, the Art Nouveau style has a year of completion — 1914. Italian architects wrote the Manifesto of Futuristic Architecture, published by Antonio Sant’Elia in Milan.
Inspired by the skyscrapers of the USA, Antonio created a series of works titled ‘The New City,’ where he fantasizes about future cities. From this moment begins the era of stricter modernism and rationalism. Architects use modern materials and technologies, constructing buildings from reinforced concrete, glass, and metal. The distinctive features of Italian rationalism are the scale, structure, and symmetry of ancient Roman architecture, albeit without the decorative refinements associated with classicism and neoclassicism.
The royal villa, which holds the memory of Napoleon who lived here, with a park in the English style, the enchanted atmosphere of which transports us from the noisy Milan to the tranquility of a country aristocratic estate; a gallery of modern art featuring works by Modigliani, Matisse, Picasso. The palaces on Venice Avenue and in the Conservatory area with their charming inner courtyards, famous all over the world.
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