Palazzo delle Poste (Carrara)

The Palazzo delle Poste in Carrara is a striking testament to the grandeur of early 20th-century architecture, seamlessly blending functionality with artistic elegance. Situated between Via Aronte and Via Mazzini, this monumental building stands as a beacon of the city’s rich history and its renowned tradition of marble craftsmanship.

The History of Palazzo delle Poste

The inception of the Palazzo delle Poste was driven by a sense of rivalry between the neighboring towns of Carrara and Massa. After the construction of the new Provincial Directorate of the Massa Post Office, Carrara was compelled to follow suit. The local administration generously provided the land for the project, which was strategically located near the historic Ferrovia Marmifera. This area, previously occupied by modest marble workshops, was transformed into a hub of urban renewal, marked by the opening of a new thoroughfare, now known as Via Don Minzoni.

The architectural vision for the Palazzo delle Poste was entrusted to Giuseppe Boni, a native of Carrara. His design, approved in 1932, envisioned a monumental structure that would not only serve functional purposes but also honor the city’s artistic heritage. The building’s construction began on February 27, 1933, under the direction of the Florence Post Office’s Works Section, and was completed in record time. The grand inauguration took place on November 11, 1934, attended by the Minister of Communications, Umberto Puppini. The total cost of the project was a staggering 1,930,000 lire.

Architectural Splendor

The Palazzo delle Poste is an architectural marvel, characterized by its imposing presence and exquisite marble cladding. The building’s design is a fine example of the severe yet grandiose style typical of the Fascist era. It features two straight wings connected by an octagonal tower, which serves as the focal point of the structure’s symmetrical composition.

The building rises two stories above ground, with a basement and a third level within the tower. The rear of the building is equally impressive, with its two wings enclosing an internal courtyard accessible through vehicular entrances at either end. A secondary entrance, located at the center of the wing facing Via Aronte, leads to an internal staircase and a modern metal and glass emergency staircase at the intersection of the two wings.

The entire building is clad in light bardiglio marble, with darker bardiglio marble used for decorative elements such as portals, pilasters, cornices, and panels. The grand entrance staircase is flanked by two statues, “The Quarryman” and “The Sculptor,” created by the sculptor Sergio Vatteroni in 1934. The facades of the wings are punctuated by three monumental portals, each featuring two rows of rectangular windows protected by iron grilles at ground level.

Ornamentation and Symbolism

The upper parapets of the first floor are adorned with dark bardiglio marble bas-reliefs, featuring the coat of arms of Carrara (with the motto “Fortitudo mea in rota”) and allegories of various forms of communication: terrestrial, maritime, aerial, and radio. Above the marble inscriptions “Poste” and “Telegrafi,” the facades are capped with a prominent cornice, beyond which rises the parapet of the upper terrace, complete with a floating floor.

The main entrance, preceded by a straight staircase, is set within the oblique side of the corner tower and is flanked by two statues over three meters tall, enhancing the grandeur of the entrance. The date of the building’s completion, 1934, is inscribed high on the right side of the entrance archway.

The corner tower culminates at the first-floor level with a simple projecting cornice and is topped by a terrace featuring three arched windows. The second level of the tower, which houses the clock, features rectangular openings on each side, with the central one sealed to accommodate the clock face. The octagonal volume, which houses radio equipment, is topped by a high projecting band decorated with pairs of relief masks serving as gargoyles at the corners.

Interior Elegance

The main entrance leads into an octagonal double-height atrium, with a balcony above featuring large arches and five architraved portals with decorative inserts. The ceiling, divided into eight segments, is crowned by an octagonal skylight with blue and white glass. The main hall, lined with light bardiglio marble veined with darker bardiglio for architectural elements, features a marble floor with a radial design mirroring the division of the semi-dome. The upper portion of the hall’s walls is adorned with painted faux marble panels.

From the main hall, a corridor leads to the secondary entrance, paved with checkerboard-patterned white and gray marble tiles. The wings of the building house various offices, with the director’s offices located on the first floor of the wing facing Via Mazzini, accessible via a grand staircase on the left side of the main hall. The staircase, with its white marble steps and balustrade of turned columns, is a masterpiece in itself, featuring a barrel-vaulted ceiling with coffered sections and a long skylight of blue glass.

The director’s offices retain their original white and gray marble tile floors, while other rooms feature terrazzo flooring. The internal staircase from the secondary entrance leads to the rooftop terrace, which offers stunning views of the surrounding cityscape. The octagonal tower above the main hall, with its central skylight protected by a secondary glass cover, is a fitting crown to this architectural gem.

A Lasting Legacy

The Palazzo delle Poste was hailed by the local press as one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed by the state, a permanent exhibition showcasing the potential of Carrara marble in architecture. The building’s rich decoration and precious cladding remain its greatest assets, making it a subject of renewed interest in the study of historic postal buildings. Today, the Palazzo delle Poste stands as a proud symbol of Carrara’s artistic and architectural heritage, inviting visitors to marvel at its timeless beauty.