Casa Rusconi is a prestigious historical building located in Piazza della Borsa, in Trieste, known for its Venetian neo-Renaissance style and for its important role in the city's history.
Origins and Renovation
The original building dates back to the 18th century and is attributed to the architect Giovanni del Pane, commissioned by the Rusconi family, a respected family of pharmacists in Trieste.
In 1860, the architect Giovanni Scalmanini carried out a massive renovation, transforming the property into a solid example of Venetian neo-Renaissance style, characterized by:
- a rectangular plan of five floors;
- two facades, the main one on Piazza della Borsa and the lateral one on Via della Cassa di Risparmio.
Architectural Features
The architectural style stands out for:
- numerous round arches;
- bifora openings;
- geometric decorations that recall Venetian Renaissance art, a rarity in the Triestine landscape.
Elements of the Main Facade
The central element of the facade on Piazza della Borsa is a niche that houses the toga statue of Domenico Rossetti, an important Triestine citizen and one of the founders of the Borsa di Trieste in 1755. This sculpture is the work of the sculptor Giovanni Depaul.
Above the main entrance there is a tondo with a bust that, according to various interpretations, could represent Alessandro Volta or Ambrogio Rusconi, another founder of the Borsa, depicted while observing the square.
Historical Uses
Historically, Casa Rusconi has not been just a residence. On the ground floor, in the adjacent Palazzo Steinfeld, the Cineografo Americano was located in 1905, the first permanent cinema hall in Trieste, with an inaugural first screening of the film "Napoleone".
Subsequently, after the closure of the hall, the spaces were occupied by the Farmacia Vielmetti, connected to Casa Rusconi.
Overall Significance
Overall, Casa Rusconi represents an important example of the civil architecture of the XIX century in Trieste, a link between the economic and cultural history of the city and the urban development of Piazza della Borsa, the crossroads of Trieste's commercial and social activity.