Gracefully rising in the heart of Reggio Calabria,
Palazzo San Giorgio stands as a landmark of early 20th-century Italian Liberty
style and a symbol of civic identity, serving as the seat of the city’s
municipal administration. Designed by the acclaimed architect Ernesto Basile
and completed in 1921, the building was part of the city’s architectural
rebirth following the devastating 1908 earthquake that struck the Strait of
Messina.
With its balanced, near-square footprint, the palazzo
spans two floors, blending structural solidity with decorative elegance. At
street level, a wide internal gallery connects Corso Garibaldi with the
parallel Via Miraglia, creating a dynamic urban passageway. Above, the first
floor reveals airy, expansive rooms, richly adorned with Art Nouveau details.
The main façade, facing Piazza Italia, commands attention with its meticulous composition. Ground-floor windows are defined by rounded arches and rusticated stone surrounds, while the upper level features rectangular openings framed by pilasters, sculpted capitals, heraldic emblems, and decorative friezes, all supporting a pronounced cornice crowned by a balustrade. At the architectural centre, a tower-like volume houses the entrance, topped by a balcony, a clock, and a bell, adding vertical rhythm and symbolic presence to the structure. Though more understated, the side façades reflect the same decorative language, echoing traditional architectural forms and maintaining stylistic continuity with the building's Art Nouveau character.
Location
Reggio Calabria, Italy
