Palazzo Marino (Milan)

 palace, guildhall, listed building / architectural heritage, 16th century construction

The pleasant square is surrounded by several more historic buildings, in particular the Palazzo Marino opposite the Teatro alla Scala.

In 1557, at the ripe old age of 83, Tommaso Marino, a banker and merchant decided to build a palazzo on a large plot near the San Fedele Church. The palazzo was designed by Galeazzo Alessi and completed in 1563. At the time the Piazza della Scala didn't yet exist, so the monumental building faced the small piazza San Fedele.

In 1861 the Palazzo was acquired by the city of Milan which soon moved its administration to this building. To this day the Palazzo Marino is still Milan's city hall. The building's current appearance is the result of a major renovation carried out under the guidance of Luca Beltrami, an Italian architect who is best known for his restoration of the Castello Sforzesco. www.aviewoncities.com/milan/piazzadellascala.htm