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ITALY HOUSE

HISTORY

 

A joint public-private initiative

Funds for the construction of Italy House were raised in large part by Italian senator Enrico Falck who was president of the “Committee for the Italian Students House in Paris” in 1951, and by his successor Achille Marazza. They had raised sufficient funds by 1953, and construction began in 1954. Financing came from the Italian government as well as from public and private foundations such as the Rotary Clubs of Italy. The house was designed by Piero Portaluppi, dean of the school of architecture in Milan, and its construction was supervised by an architect named Klein. Italy House officially opened its doors on 25 January 1958 in a ceremony attended by French President René Coty and the head of the Italian senate, Cesare Merzagora.

Did you know?
As was the case with Heinrich Heine House, the construction of Italy House was delayed due to the delicate political situation between the First and Second World Wars. 
The flavour of a traditional Italian manor

Italy House immediately brings to mind the architecture of a bygone era in Italy’s history. Several details have been incorporated into the construction for just that effect, including a 15th century entryway, a loggia surrounded by arcades, twin windows from the 14th century and a 17th century baroque mantel from Mantua. In front of the house, classical ruins create an ambiance visitors might expect to find among monuments in Rome.

Did you know?
Inside the house visitors can admire a 14th century fresco taken from the church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Milan that was destroyed in 1847. The work, painted by an anonymous painter from Lombardy, depicts Saint Francis manifesting stigmata and Saint Christopher. It belongs to the Brera Museum in Milan and was completely restored in 2008 in Italy. 
Renovations underway

Italy House was reopened on 1 December 1993, after full renovations financed by the Italian government, Rotary Clubs and several Italian banks. In August 2009 it was again closed for further renovations and will reopen in April 2010.

Did you know?
Italy House has been honoured by visits from two Italian Presidents, Giovanni Gronchi in 1956 and Sandro Pertini in 1982.