Today’s quiz is borrowed from a beautiful story by Valentina Ragazzo, author of the blog valepassaparola.it (whom we thank, as always). Let’s see if you can guess which historic neighborhood and what this fascinating building is called!
Photo Valentina Ragazzo
“There is no historic building, or almost no, that does not have a hospitality business inside. Indeed, we are no longer surprised by entire buildings that change their face and intended use. For Cagliari it is Columbus’ egg, an incredibly banal way of solving a problem that seemed without a solution: the redevelopment of entire neighborhoods (possibly with a good conservative recovery) is conditioned by economic performance. It is a discussion that applies to all four historic districts. There is no street in the Marina or in Stampace or in Villanova where the noise of trolleys being dragged cannot be heard. Investigation in progress, (I am photographing those accommodation facilities that are located inside historic buildings or overlooking suggestive sites and panoramas), I had the privilege of breathing the atmosphere of a building in the Marina. It is one of the Ravenna palaces”.
Palazzo Ravenna – Photo valepassaparola.it 11
The Ravenna family is of Jewish origins. Coming from Lorraine, they settled in Liguria in the 15th century. They had high-class marriages, becoming related to the most powerful families, they evidently had a very high social position. Two branches arrived in Cagliari, one from Lavagna and the other from Genoa, between the end of the 18th century and the mid-19th century. Their industry was maritime trade.
The initials GBR can be seen on the floor of the entrance hall. In fact, it was Giovanni Battista who purchased three buildings adjacent to each other in 1886 from the Rapallo heirs, in Via Napoli, Barcellona and Cavour (Casa Grande, Casa Saiu and Casa Laxè). The three buildings were radically transformed by creating a single building with an entrance in via Napoli. Of great economic well-being, for many years GBR was Honorary Consul of Chile, as well as advisor and councilor in the Bacaredda administration. He loved archaeology, so much so that he financed excavations in the “Ravenna predio” between Viale Bonaria and Viale Cimitero.
The beautiful “Arcipelago 37” structure is located in Palazzo Ravenna. The notable renovation in 2018 brought to light the original frescoes and cement tiles.”
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