#Traffic facility #Naples (Napoli) #1936
80133
Naples (Napoli),
Italy
Access: Public area during exhibitions or appointments
Today's use: Cruise terminal
Description
The station was built according to the guidelines of the bid, with two buildings housing two identical halls. Between the two “towers,” at the height of the first floor, there was to be a connection. This was achieved through the construction of three transversal floors. Below these floors, there is an opening initially intended for the trains that came from the railway connecting the train station to the port, which is now disused.
The building consists of two wings, each about 182 meters long. The exterior decoration includes twelve medallions made of Trani stone. Of these twelve, eight depict various geographical locations: East Africa, Rome, Athens, Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Calcutta, and, of course, Naples. Of the remaining four, two represent sea and air navigation, while the other two depict a steamship and a Roman ship. There are four bronze metopes, representing Castor and Pollux and the wealth of maritime trade, along with the classic bronze horses.
The station building is a monumental structure and is considered as such by the Superintendency of Environmental and Architectural Heritage.
Description
The station was built according to the guidelines of the bid, with two buildings housing two identical halls. Between the two “towers,” at the height of the first floor, there was to be a connection. This was achieved through the construction of three transversal floors. Below these floors, there is an opening initially intended for the trains that came from the railway connecting the train station to the port, which is now disused.
The building consists of two wings, each about 182 meters long. The exterior decoration includes twelve medallions made of Trani stone. Of these twelve, eight depict various geographical locations: East Africa, Rome, Athens, Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Calcutta, and, of course, Naples. Of the remaining four, two represent sea and air navigation, while the other two depict a steamship and a Roman ship. There are four bronze metopes, representing Castor and Pollux and the wealth of maritime trade, along with the classic bronze horses.
The station building is a monumental structure and is considered as such by the Superintendency of Environmental and Architectural Heritage.
History
After the unification of Italy, the port of Naples was significantly enlarged and strengthened. However, there was a lack of a building to accommodate passengers arriving at and departing from the port. This deficiency was only addressed at the end of the 19th century with the construction of the maritime station on the Pisacane pier (originally called the trapezoidal bridge due to its shape) between 1894 and 1899, designed by civil engineer Luca Cortese.
Over time, the maritime station was deemed inadequate for its functions. The stated goal of the fascist regime was to carve out a prominent role for the city in Mediterranean maritime trade. Therefore, a new, larger, and more modern maritime station was needed. The tender for the contract was issued by the Ministry of Public Works in 1933. The bid was won by the Ferrobeton company, and construction began the following year under the direction of architect Cesare Bazzani, completing in 1936 with its inauguration.
Its construction involved the destruction of the ancient Molo Grande and its arm, the Molo San Gennaro, and notably the equally ancient and famous lantern of the pier. The new pier, widened to accommodate the building above it, was named after the Minister of Public Works Luigi Razza, a designation that disappeared after the fall of the regime.
The Stazione Marittima has since been renovated and modernized to airport standards. It houses check-in facilities, stores and a congress center. It is operated by the company Terminal Napoli SpA, in which several cruise companies, among others, have a stake.
History
After the unification of Italy, the port of Naples was significantly enlarged and strengthened. However, there was a lack of a building to accommodate passengers arriving at and departing from the port. This deficiency was only addressed at the end of the 19th century with the construction of the maritime station on the Pisacane pier (originally called the trapezoidal bridge due to its shape) between 1894 and 1899, designed by civil engineer Luca Cortese.
Over time, the maritime station was deemed inadequate for its functions. The stated goal of the fascist regime was to carve out a prominent role for the city in Mediterranean maritime trade. Therefore, a new, larger, and more modern maritime station was needed. The tender for the contract was issued by the Ministry of Public Works in 1933. The bid was won by the Ferrobeton company, and construction began the following year under the direction of architect Cesare Bazzani, completing in 1936 with its inauguration.
Its construction involved the destruction of the ancient Molo Grande and its arm, the Molo San Gennaro, and notably the equally ancient and famous lantern of the pier. The new pier, widened to accommodate the building above it, was named after the Minister of Public Works Luigi Razza, a designation that disappeared after the fall of the regime.
The Stazione Marittima has since been renovated and modernized to airport standards. It houses check-in facilities, stores and a congress center. It is operated by the company Terminal Napoli SpA, in which several cruise companies, among others, have a stake.
Sources
