Hotel Grand Italia

Il Palazzo Folchi- now Hotel Grand Italia- was built in 1909 on a design by the renowned architect PRIMO TERTULLIANO MIOZZO for Cav. Guglielmo Folchi. Unlike other buildings in the area- that were mostly zoned as both business and residential- the hotel was exclusively an aristocratic private home. It was erected in a scenic location- at the corner between Piazzale della Stazione and the Corso- at a time when there were no significant monuments in the area. In those days this historic palace was highly criticized and defined as barbarian or unspeakable- for Art Nouveau was not really appreciated then. The fact is that the building is a great example of style Liberty- which was dear to the ruling class of the Popular Party for its original features different than the eclectic style preferred by Padua conservatives at the time. The building features a scenic corrugated corner perspective- inspired by balconies- porches and terraces whose curvilinear nimble intervals- together with figures and floral embellishments- convey the feelings of modernity and youth. Wrought iron decorations by ADOLFO CALIGARIS on balconies and ironworks will forever be tied to the style Liberty. The recent restoration- made possible by the Cinel Family- has given the public the opportunity to view these original works that had been hidden for too long.