Casa Bartoli, located in Piazza della Borsa in Trieste, is one of the most significant examples of architecture in the Liberty (Art Nouveau) style in the city, designed by the Central European architect Max Fabiani and completed in 1906.
Historical context
At the time of its construction, Piazza della Borsa represented the beating heart of Trieste, an area where the medieval urban layout merged with the eighteenth-century Teresian one. The insertion of Casa Bartoli disrupted the formal balance of the southern front of the square due to its irregular and innovative dimensions, so much so that three different projects were necessary before final approval.
Architecture and features
The facade stands out for:
- a decorative cascade of leaves
- precious floral friezes
- the elegant use of glass and cast iron balconies
Max Fabiani also innovated the internal floor plan by moving the entrance from the main facade to a lateral recess, to enhance the shop windows on the ground floor and protect the entrance from the bora, the local wind.
The last two floors are characterized by floral friezes imposed by the Ornato Commission, because they were originally considered too avant-garde.
The first three levels housed:
- shops
- warehouses
- including a depot of the manufacturing company Antonio Bartoli & Figlio
Social and cultural functions
On the piano nobile until the 1930s there was the famous Restaurant Golberger, a kosher restaurant frequented by the observant Jewish community, which allowed them to visit the commercial area without interrupting religious prescriptions.
This function makes Casa Bartoli an important reference point for the social history of Trieste, especially for the link with the city's historic Jewish community; the building is located behind the old Jewish ghetto.
Events and curiosities
Today the building houses the headquarters of the local “Free Trieste” movement, and its veranda is used as an exhibition space.
Casa Bartoli is universally recognized as the Liberty jewel of Trieste, an architectural and cultural symbol that encapsulates the historical, cultural, and social stratifications of this border city.