Villino Panichi

History

Built in 1900 by architect Lorenzo Porciatti, this was the first building constructed in Piazza della Vasca (then Piazza Umberto I) during the renovation of Via IV Novembre (later Via Fallaci). Named after the family who originally lived there, the villa was initially separated from the square by a decorative iron gate and wall, both of which were demolished after World War II. A low building, now housing commercial activities, was erected in their place, its convex shape echoing the perimeter of the square.

Description

The villa is a two-story building with brick masonry and stone decorations. The structure is preceded by a low, convex building on the square's side, which houses a bar. The ground floor of the villa features a prominent central entrance portal with a round arch, flanked by rectangular windows on each side.

The raised floor also has a central entrance portal with a round arch, reached by a distinctive staircase with a circular column supporting the four-pitched roof. Each side of the portal has a rectangular window with a top lintel supported by two side columns, which in turn rest on another lintel at the base of each window. The villa is also notable for its fine wrought iron work.

Critical reception

The villa exhibits Renaissance Revival elements that harmonize well with the Art Nouveau decorations and ornaments.

According to Barbato and Mangani (2013), "the building is distinguished by its Liberty decorative elements, making it one of the city's earliest examples of this style. The use of stone and iron decorations, the balustrade with columns on the access staircase, the door and window frames, the wrought iron work, and the portal rosette all contribute to a characteristic design that reflects the distinctive creativity of Lorenzo Porciatti's work". Quattrocchi (2006) notes that the architect "combines a predominantly neocinquecentist layout with some Liberty decorative details in the now-vanished Rococo fence".