Ars Adriatica, No. 6, 2016.
Original scientific paper
Benzoni Palace – An Example of 18th-Century Residential Architecture in Rijeka’s Old Town
Petar Puhmajer
orcid.org/0000-0003-4630-8863
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb
Krasanka Majer Jurišić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3157-9230
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb
Abstract
In the analysis of the construction history of the palace, by reading the available historical sources and defining its main architectural characteristics, the authors have sought to determine the main phases of its construction and the most valuable aspects of its design and style, which are still discernible despite the derelict state of the building. The palace was built for Bishop Giovanni Antonio Benzoni and designed by architect Antonio Verneda at a time between 1726 and 1745, probably incorporating some earlier structures. Verneda’s design is not only perfectly positioned in terms of urban planning, as the palace is located along the western edge of the square, in front of St. Vitus’ church, but also has an excellent spatial organization, with rooms grouped around a central staircase, thus creating a comfortable living space, especially in the first floor, the piano nobile. In the late 18th century, the palace was owned by Giulio Benzoni, the bishop’s nephew, who had the facade redesigned in the neo-classicist style by adding a markable stone portal, two balconies, and rich decoration in wrought iron. Renovations carried out during the second half of the 19th century – first its transformation into an orphanage, then into army barracks, and eventually into a rental apartment building – show that Benzoni’s palace was not an exception in the overall conversion of aristocratic residences into apartment blocks or ephemeral public buildings. Such alterations of houses and palaces were very common in Rijeka’s historical centre, as its dense urban texture did not allow for major urban interventions. Fortunately, Benzoni’s palace has not suffered alteration to such extent and so its structure has largely been preserved. It should also be noted that many houses in Rijeka’s historical centre were damaged by bombing in World War II, and even more through neglect in the second half of the 20th century. The Benzoni Palace, therefore, remains an exceptional example of preserved residential architecture from the 18th century, and deserves a thorough professional and scholarly assessment, as well as an appropriate restoration in the future.
Keywords
residential architecture; 18th century; baroque; neo-classicism; Rijeka; Benzoni Palace; construction history; Benzoni family; Giovanni Antonio Benzoni; Antonio de Verneda
Hrčak ID:
170765
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2016.
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