Palazzo Polifemo is a historic building located in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, in the heart of Trieste. Its construction dates back to 1882, thanks to funding from the Banca Union of Vienna, and it represents an emblematic example of late-19th-century architecture linked to the economic and political expansion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Intended Use and Adaptations
Originally, Palazzo Polifemo was intended to become the headquarters of the Comando Supremo della Marina Militare Austriaca, being located in a strategic area near the port. Subsequently, it was considered for use as the central headquarters of the financing bank, but for historical and political reasons, this project was never realized.
The building was instead adapted and renovated for residential use, housing several apartments.
Curious Architectural Element
A curious architectural element is the large empty space on the roof of the palace, originally designed to house a clock, made in Vienna, but never installed in Trieste due to events related to the First World War and the consequent end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This void gave rise to the popular nickname "Polifemo", alluding to the mythological giant with a single eye, as it appears as a large missing eye on the facade.
History of the Square
The square that hosts Palazzo Polifemo has had several names throughout history:
- Piazza della Stranga — derived from the German "Schranke", referring to the customs office then present
- Piazza della Marina, for the role that Palazzo Polifemo was supposed to assume
- Piazza Elisabetta in honor of the Empress of Austria
In the center of the square, there is also a dodecagonal fountain (with twelve sides), the work of Giovanni Depaul and designed by Vallon in 1858, conceived to water twelve horses simultaneously as a testimony to the commercial and transit vocation of the square in the period.
Architectural Features
Architecturally, the building presents itself as a large unitary block that actually hides two separate houses, joined only by the main facade overlooking the square.
At its corners, it houses historic premises such as the ancient fish market on the corner, which still characterizes the urban fabric today.
Historical Significance
Palazzo Polifemo thus represents an important witness to the socio-economic and urban transitions of Trieste between the 19th and 20th centuries, reflecting imperial ambitions and the subsequent adaptation to civic needs after the profound geopolitical changes of the First World War.