Cisternone

The Cisternone, also known as the Gran Conserva, stands as a remarkable testament to neoclassical architecture in Livorno, Italy. This monumental water reservoir, designed by the talented architect Pasquale Poccianti, was constructed in the first half of the 19th century. Even today, it continues to serve its original purpose of supplying water to the city, making it a vital part of Livorno's infrastructure and a fascinating historical site.

The History of the Cisternone

Construction of the Cisternone commenced in 1829 and was completed in 1842. The project was undertaken to store and distribute spring water from Colognole, located in the municipality of Collesalvetti. Pasquale Poccianti, the architect behind this grand structure, faced numerous challenges during its construction. He continually modified the initial design, leading to the unique and impressive structure we see today.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Cisternone's construction is its façade, completed around 1832. Initially, the design featured a simple façade with Tuscan columns and a central semicircular window. However, Poccianti revolutionized the design, adding a portico with eight columns and a coffered semicupola inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. It is believed that Giovanni Antonio Antolini, famed for the design of the Foro Bonaparte in Milan, may have influenced this aspect of the project. The extensive correspondence between Poccianti and Antolini supports this theory.

By 1833, the dome structure was completed, and the Cisternone hosted celebrations for the wedding of Grand Duke Leopold II and Princess Maria Antonia. However, finishing touches and technical installations continued until 1842, when the Cisternone officially began its operation.

Exploring the Cisternone

The Cisternone is essentially composed of two main parts: the avant-corps and the cistern itself. The avant-corps features the main façade, flanked by several side rooms and the caretakers' apartment. The façade is characterized by a Tuscan portico, bordered by two volumes with few windows. The upper floor of the portico opens onto a large terrace, offering a view of the semicupola with its distinctive coffered decoration, added in 1837.

The cistern, still in use today, is an impressive interior space divided into five aisles in width and seven in length by numerous Tuscan pillars supporting hemispherical vaults. Originally, water from Colognole entered through the rear of the cistern, where it was filtered using layers of gravel and charcoal. However, with the introduction of chlorine for water treatment, the filtration system was removed, allowing the entire tank to be used as a reservoir with a capacity of around ten thousand cubic meters.

The Architecture of the Cisternone

The Cisternone is one of Italy's foremost neoclassical structures and represents the pinnacle of Pasquale Poccianti's architectural achievements. It has been described as the most successful attempt in Italy, if not all of Europe, to realize the dreams of French visionaries. Critics have noted the close similarities between the Cisternone and the works of Étienne-Louis Boullée and Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, renowned for their utopian projects characterized by simple, well-defined forms.

The semicupola, resembling a large shell, emphasizes the building's purpose and conveys a strong communicative power, similar to Ledoux's design for the house of river watchers. The influence of ancient Roman architecture is also evident, not only in the coffered decoration of the semicupola but also in the large semicircular lunette windows, typical of ancient thermal structures.

Urbanistically, the Cisternone is significant as it marked the presence of grand ducal authority in the rapidly expanding suburbs outside the historic center. Poccianti envisioned a grand tree-lined avenue (now Viale Carducci) leading visitors from the Colognole springs to the Cisternone, with a large public park created nearby.

The Cisternone in Cinema

The Cisternone has also made its mark in the world of cinema. In 1962, it appeared briefly in Vittorio De Sica's film I sequestrati di Altona, where its façade was adorned with portraits of Hitler to represent a theater in Nazi Germany. More recently, the Cisternone was featured in Lino Capolicchio's film Il diario di Matilde Manzoni, along with other locations of the aqueduct.

Visiting the Cisternone is a journey through history, architecture, and urban development. It stands as a proud symbol of Livorno's past and a testament to the ingenuity of Pasquale Poccianti. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, the Cisternone offers a unique and enriching experience.